Lions clubs hailed for supporting vulnerable communities
“I am very happy to be here in Uganda, and this is my first visit to this great country. Since we are the world's number one service club organisation, we need more human resources to find the financial and material resources needed to drive our mission.”
Brian Walusimbi, Founder of Bless a Child Foundation interacts with A.P. Singh during the hand over of a van at Bless a Child Foundation. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
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President of Lions Clubs International, A.P. Singh, has commended Lions in Uganda for supporting vulnerable communities.
Because of the club's outstanding work, Singh says, they visit countries where they can learn from each other, share success stories and absorb best practices to replicate service programmes globally.
So far, according to Lions, there are 70 clubs spread all over Uganda.
“Uganda is very strong in service. Though we don’t have a fixed rotation system, we try to cover countries and parts of the world where lionism is so strong. It is a matter of pride and privilege to be visiting Uganda, spending time with the Lions, learning from them, and experiencing their impactful service.” Singh stated.
To increase membership growth, Singh said, Lions need to establish new clubs because they bring additional resources, which would enable them to reach underrepresented areas and transform vulnerable communities.
“I am very happy to be here in Uganda, and this is my first visit to this great country. Since we are the world's number one service club organisation, we need more human resources to find the financial and material resources needed to drive our mission,” Singh said.
He made the remarks during his visit to Bless a Child Foundation in Bwaise on Tuesday.
Bless a Child Foundation is a home for vulnerable children suffering from cancer.
A.P. Singh arrived in Uganda on Monday and was accompanied by Past International Director Sangeeta Jatia.
During his stay in Uganda, Singh visited humanitarian projects supported by Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and also advanced Mission 1.5, the global initiative to grow service and membership. He left Uganda on Wednesday.
Life-changing projects
Some of the life-changing projects Singh visited include the Childhood Cancer Project at Mulago National Referral Hospital, the Comprehensive Eye Care Project at Nsambya Hospital and also donated a vehicle that will enable expanded outreach to children undergoing treatment at Bless a Child Foundation. On Monday, he also interacted with top government officials at the Ministry of Health.
A.P. Singh, of Kolkata, India, has been a Lion since 1984 and a member of the Calcutta Vikas Lions Club. He was elected as the international president of Lions Clubs during the association’s 107th international convention in Orlando, Florida, July 13-17, 2025.
What Singh’s visit means to Lions
The district governor of district 411B, Tush Naturinda, said Uganda hosting the president not only encourages members to work hard, but also motivates them to continue supporting those in need.
“The fact that the LCIF has funded so many projects in Uganda, and him coming here means Uganda is making an impact in serving the nation and the communities in which our clubs are placed,” explained Naturinda.
Being with the president, according to Naturinda, has not only lifted the club’s members' spirit, but the lions have recommitted themselves to contribute more towards service in the communities.
Naturinda said: “To hear that what they are doing is being recognised is a motivator for us. We took the president to the paediatric cancer ward in Mulago, which is purely being funded by Global Hope. The stories being told not only restore hope but are also a healing process for the children with cancer.”
During the interactive dinner at Imperial Royale Hotel, members requested the LCIF to inject more support for project activities.
On the issue of increasing funding, Naturinda requested that, “If LCIF can find it in their way to contribute towards projects that are more focused on humanitarian service without requesting us to have initial funds, that would lift a big burden off the lions.”
During the meeting, the Founder of Bless a Child Foundation, Brian Walusimbi, said that, though they walk the journey with cancer patients at no cost, they are financially constrained.
Since Patients and their parents can stay at the foundation for free as long as they are going through treatment, Walusimbi said, feeding people daily is costly. Adding that, regularly, every home hosts around 30 to 40 families every day. This includes children and their parents.
The foundation not only supports children suffering from cancer, but also provides meals, psychosocial support, accommodation, and therapy for children suffering from cancer, among others.