Rotary, diplomats discuss strategic co-operation to revolutionise Ugandan communities

Rotary and several diplomats in Uganda have held a discussion on how they can strategically collaborate on projects that revolutionise communities.

British High Commissioner in Uganda Lisa Chesney, while delivering a keynote address during the March 5, 2026, luncheon at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, indicated that addressing challenges communities face demand critical synergies enshrined in strong partnerships.

The luncheon hosted by the Rotary Club of Kampala was also graced by senior government officials and business leaders to discuss issues pertaining to fostering peace and other critical bottlenecks affecting the well-being of humanity.

"We put service at the heart of what we do. We engage in the global challenges around us, however difficult they are, and we seek to make things better for everybody. That is what we do.  We have got that in common, and we share a belief with Rotary that actually it's relationships and collaboration that is where real change happens,” Chesney said.

Chesney emphasised the importance of partnerships in addressing global challenges, citing conflict, migration and climate change as interconnected issues.

"Conflict drives migration, a climate shock in one place unsettles an economy," she said.
She indicated that both diplomats and Rotarians put service at the heart of what they argue matters most.

The convergence for a diplomatic fellowship lunch, according to Chesney, was a simple but powerful and profound opportunity to bring together people with shared ethos who operate in different worlds to explore how ‘we’ might work more closely together to address the biggest challenges facing ‘our’ communities and ‘our’ planet.

“You said that this month was about peacebuilding and conflict prevention. So, it feels really apposite that we are gathering together to talk about this, and I'm going to be really candid with you in this room, you know, at multiple times over the last couple of weeks, the last months, even the last year, as a diplomat, it felt to me that we are living in a bit of a paradox. The world is becoming ever more divided,” Chesney said.

Rotary's core values include service above self, integrity and fellowship. Members have worked together to address pressing issues such as polio eradication, disaster relief, and community development. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)

Over three billion children immunised

With over 1.4 million memberships in over 180 countries, Rotary is one of the largest service organisations in the world. The organisation's mission is to provide humanitarian service, promote high ethical standards, and advance world understanding and goodwill.

Rotary's core values include service above self, integrity and fellowship. Members have worked together to address pressing issues such as polio eradication, disaster relief, and community development.

Rotary International president Francesco Arezzo, while visiting Uganda recently, indicated that Rotary has, among others, immunised over three billion children against polio.

“I found Rotary in Uganda vibrant, vital, connected with the community, connected with the partners, connected with the local administration,” Arezzo said as he concluded his two-day visit.

Jacqueline Ayuya Mukasa, the president of the Rotary Club of Kampala, equally rallied for strategic partnerships.

“My call to action to all the diplomatic missions and international partners present is to look at the Rotary Club of Kampala, not just as a charity, but as a strategic implementing partner. We have the local networks, the historical trust of the communities and the volunteer of professional expertise to ensure that your development agendas reach the last mile. Let us move from parallel paths to a shared journey of impact,” Mukasa said.

She said the Rotary Club of Kampala, as the premier club in Uganda, remained committed to the Rotary International mission of advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace. Mukasa said the diplomatic fellowship is an annual event, and this year it was under the theme, “Partnerships Sustainable Impact: bridging Diplomacy and Community Service.”

Geoffrey Martin Kitakule notified the diplomats that Rotary will reach out to harmonise modalities of cooperation.  

“So I'am looking forward to walking with you to work together to make a difference in this society. Please integrate us within your community strategies so that we can actually improve lives within the communities,” Kitakule said.

Career diplomat and the former permanent secretary of foreign affairs, James Mugume, said that all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were encapsulated in the seven areas of Rotary.

These include promoting peace and conflict prevention, fighting diseases, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies and protecting the environment.