New Lions Club President commits to fighting childhood cancer

The newly installed President of the Lions Club of Kampala East, Ivan Sendege, has committed to doubling the club’s support towards fighting childhood and adolescent cancers in Uganda.

Speaking after his installation at Kampala Club on Friday, June 20, 2025, Sendege, the sixth club president, vowed that during his term, he would ensure that they carry forward the heartbeat of their service, which is the Cancer Project at Mulago. 

“What was started must continue. This year, we focus on enhancing our involvement in the teams that are working in the ward at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), helping them in providing patient support and improving outcomes,” he vowed.

Ivan Sendege, the newly installed President of the Lions Club of Kampala East delivers his acceptance speech at Kampala Club on Friday, June 20, 2025. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

The president of the Lions Club of Kampala East, Hildah Mugenyi, relinquishes the leadership powers by handing over the Lions Club medallion to Ivan Sendege during transfer of power at Kampala Club.

Sendege noted that their efforts were part of the global causes for Lionism, where children’s cancer is one of the international goals.

He says that cancer infection in Uganda is so ‘bad and alarming’ with growing annual numbers of diagnoses being reported, especially from Northern Uganda, which he said calls for members of the Lions Clubs in Uganda to donate generously.

Available statistics indicate that globally, about 429,000 children and adolescents develop cancer annually. In Uganda alone, figures show that approximately 1,500 to 3,000 new child and adolescent cancer cases are registered annually.

Timothy Opobo (R), who was the guest of honour, congratulates the new president of the Lions Club of Kampala East.

Tomothy Opobo, the guest of honor speaking at the event.

However, only about 30% of the new cases are presented at the Uganda Cancer Institute.
While many childhood cancers are curable with proper treatment, Uganda's childhood cancer survival rate is estimated to be between 20% and 30%, citing high rates of treatment abandonment due to lack of money for transporting patients to cancer centres. 

Sendege explains that he would build on the notable achievements of the outgoing club president, Hilda Nyamaizi Mugenyi, who earlier revealed that in the year 2024/2025, the club raised sh27m from a fundraising drive, which went towards support of the Mulago Cancer Children’s outpatient ward.

These included repainting and decorating the ward to make it child-friendly, providing chairs, food, books and colouring materials. They also purchased television screens and provided groceries for the patients.

Toasting to good health. Ivan Sendege, the new president of the Lions Club of Kampala East reaches out to a guest for a toast.

The outgoing Leo President, Lions Club of Kampala East, Regina Kakuba (R) congratulates the incoming President Leo Michelle Kagira.

The installation was conducted by Allen Tusha Naturinda, District Governor-elect, DST 411B, who was the chief guest, and witnessed by the guest of honour, Timothy Opobo, the executive director of the AfriChild Centre, Makerere University.

“The Children’s Cancer Ward is partially becoming our project; we shall continue to keep an eye on it and provide the necessary support in terms of materials and other needs,” Sendege explained.

In addition, the club committed to continuing to extend support towards Kawempe Home Care, where children diagnosed with cancer but cannot commute from home are accommodated as they undergo treatment.

Lions and their guests get excited during the installation party.

Guests have dinner during the Lions Club installation function.

During the past year, the club donated 30 mattresses, food items and contributed some cash to the home.

Sendege says the Club is soon launching a drive to raise sh10m for the purchase of 200 white canes for the visually impaired Ugandans, both in rural and urban areas, under the theme, “White Cane, Bright Path”.

“These simple tools are a gateway to dignity, independence, and safety. Our target is to donate 200 white canes to visually impaired Ugandans in both urban and rural settings.
“We are not just handing out canes, we are opening up lives, step by step, let us be the Lions who brought light to those walking in darkness,” he says.

Incoming Leo President, Lions Club of Kampala East, Michelle Kagira.

The outgoing Leo President, Lions Club of Kampala East, Regina Kakuba (L) and the incoming President Leo Michelle Kagira dance 'kinawolovu' during the installation ceremony.

The Lions Club, Kampala East, Sendege says, will also revisit and revitalise their support for police stations in Naggalama, Kasangati, and Naguru, as well as the Naguru Mosque and Reception Centre, among other areas, where they have been carrying out environmental activities, including planting trees.

They also plan to clean markets like Nakawa as community mobilisation moments for dignity, hygiene, and Lion visibility.

Mugenyi said during her year, they had 12 service activities covering the global causes of cancer, vision, diabetes, hunger, and disasters, among others. 

The outgoing president of the Lions Club of Kampala East, Hildah Mugenyi gives her a speech at Kampala Club.

Lions celebrate their new leaders at the installation ceremony at Kampala Club on June 20, 2025.

Under the vision, she said, they carried out an eye camp in collaboration with Mengo Hospital where they had 143 people screened free of charge, prescribed medication and distributed reading glasses, conducted a diabetes walk and had the highest donor towards the fundraising for the Kitezi landslide victims.

With this, she said, the Lions Club Kampala East got an award from the District Governor for this donation.

Opobo said he was so proud that his organisation, AfriChild Centre, had produced two presidents of the Lions Club of Kampala East, including the first President, Clare A. Bangirana and now Sendege.

The chief guest, Hilda Mugenyi (L) hands over gifts to members who excelled.

Taste to good health. President-elect, Ivan Sendege toasting with some relatives and friends.

He said service is not just a moral obligation, but a deeply spiritual responsibility. He said true leadership must always begin on one’s knees, which he said was true service.

“Each one of us is placed on this earth, not simply to live our lives, but to serve others, and to extend love, kindness and action in the face of need,” he said and encouraged members of the Lions Club to continue serving. 

He quoted 1 John 3: 17-18, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?", he said Lions stands for, because they are loving, not in words, but also action.

Opobo (R) handing over a certificate to one of the best-performing lions.

The chief guest, Hilda Mugenyi (R) hands over gifts to members who excelled.

At the same event, Regina Kyogabirwe Kakuba, the Leo President of the Lions Club of Kampala East handed over to Michelle Kagira, the new president.