2,000 Rotarians grace Rotary Peace Walk 2025

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Over 2,000 Rotarians and peace fellows on Saturday graced the Rotary Peace Walk 2025 at Makerere University in Uganda's Capital, Kampala.

The walk flagged off by the Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick, was aimed at boosting peace awareness.

"Thank you for being here. Last night at the African Peace Concert, I talked about peace actions that we can take individually, and you have decided today to do a peace action. Walking for peace today is your commitment to make sure that peace is possible, and I thank you for that," said Urchick.

Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick, arrives for the Rotary Peace Walk. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

Urchick was set to conclude her week long visit to Uganda on Saturday.

"This morning. I'm here to make sure that we get to the start line. Enjoy the walk and remember that you are helping to make peace possible. You are peace builders today. Thank you so very much," she said.

The peace walk that started just after 10 am kicked off with a photo moment, shortly after the initial session of aerobics.

Aerobics session before the Rotary Peace Walk. (Credit: Simon Peter Tuwmine)

The Rotarians were joined by peace fellows.

The walk was one of the key activities the International Rotary President presided over to emphasize peace.

Rotarians holding a banner during the Rotary Peace Walk. (Credit: Simon Peter Tuwmine)

The procession that started from Makerere Freedom Square went through Wandegeya, before returning to the same venue through the main gate.

Speaking during the Peace Symposium at Makerere University Main Hall on Friday (January 10), Urchick tasked Rotarians with working towards the attainability of sustainable peace globally.

Uganda has the first stop of her Africa Magic Tour 2025, which will also take her to Kenya, Senegal, Tunisia, and Egypt, before her return to the US in late January.

With the 2024-2025 Rotary International theme "The Magic of Rotary", Urchick’s visit aims to celebrate the transformative power of Rotary while highlighting the critical role of partnerships in advancing peace, education, healthcare, and community development.

Rotarians basking in a selfie moment with the Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

Makerere hosts the Rotary Peace Centre in Africa according to the university's administration, it has since inducted 169 Peace fellows from over 40 countries from across the world in the last five years in seven cohorts.

According to Mike Ssebalu, the chairperson organizing committee of the peace walk and the past district governor D9213, the walk was in commemoration of the visit of the Rotary International President and the five years of Makerere Rotary Peace Centre.

"It became five years the day before yesterday (January 9, 2025). So, we are celebrating it, but more importantly, to underscore the seven areas of focus of Rotary International, which include peace and conflict resolution, maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment, environment, water and sanitation, economic and community development," he said.

"You find that if we deal with those areas of focus well, the six of them, the outcome is peace. So, if you provide water, you are creating peace, if you deal with environmental challenges, you are creating peace in communities. If you fight poverty, you are creating peace. Disease prevention, you are creating peace. So, Rotary does good in the world through the areas of focus, and the main outcome of what we do is peace."

The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, thanked the International Rotary President for gracing and flagging off the walk.

"I thank the International Rotary President for coming personally to flag off this walk. Thank you all. And let's go and work for peace," said Nawangwe.