Rotary hails Vision Group for advancing service above self
Lugalambi said partnerships with the media remain critical in inspiring more people to support humanitarian causes and volunteerism.
Vision Group deputy editor-in-chief, Felix Osike posing with the certificate which was awarded to the company on Saturday, June 27. (Photos by Simon Peter Tumwine)
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The Rotary Club of Muyenga has recognised Vision Group for its outstanding contribution to promoting Rotary's humanitarian work and advancing the spirit of "Service Above Self" through sustained media coverage.
The recognition was one of the highlights of the club's leadership installation ceremony held at Las Vegas Hotel in Bunga, Kampala, on June 27, 2026, where incoming club president Beatrice Lugalambi presented a certificate of appreciation to Vision Group in recognition of its role in amplifying Rotary projects and community service initiatives across Uganda.
Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office as president for the 2026/2027 Rotary year, Lugalambi said partnerships with the media remain critical in inspiring more people to support humanitarian causes and volunteerism.
Lugalambi pledged to uphold Rotary International's principles and lead a year defined by impact, innovation and sustainable community transformation.
"My vision is intentional and simple. We shall increase our impact, strengthen our contribution to the Rotary Foundation, deepen member engagement and expand our reach through stronger partnerships," she said.
At the heart of her administration will be the construction of a health centre III in Kabule, Mityana district, a four-year flagship project expected to serve more than 100,000 people.
Lugalambi said she had been tasked with mobilising sh250m for the project and announced that nearly sh80m had already been raised through contributions from members, corporate partners and well-wishers.
She also committed to strengthening member engagement through buddy groups, mentoring six new members into Rotary leadership, implementing the club's five-year strategic plan and supporting the growth of new Rotary clubs across the region.
During his tenure, the club recruited about 290 new Rotarians, helping establish three new Rotary clubs while maintaining one of the highest membership retention rates in the district.
The club also mobilised approximately $150,000 (about sh551m) for The Rotary Foundation, bringing its cumulative giving to more than $1.236m (about sh4.5b).
It also implemented five international global grant projects worth more than $526,000 (about sh1.9b), secured specialised medical equipment for health facilities, commissioned the Kaweeri Solar Clean Water Project, organised medical camps that benefited more than 1,700 people and emerged as Uganda's leading contributor to the Rotary Cancer Run after mobilising sh75.6m.
Incoming Rotary International director for Zone 22, Emmanuel Katongole, described the coming Rotary year as historic for Africa, saying the continent would, for the first time, enjoy unprecedented representation at the highest levels of Rotary International.
"The President of Rotary International will be from Africa, the second African in 121 years, and for the first time in history two Africans will sit on the Rotary International Board," Katongole said.
He added that Africa would also have two representatives on the Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees, including one from Uganda, describing the development as a defining moment for the continent's leadership within the global humanitarian organisation.
Katongole praised Uganda's outstanding Rotary performance, revealing that Districts 9214 and 9213 are expected to finish among Africa's top-performing districts in Rotary Foundation giving.
He singled out the Rotary Club of Muyenga for its exceptional performance, noting that under Mugume's leadership the club had surpassed several Rotary districts across Africa in membership growth and fundraising.
"It looks like yesterday when I nominated Alex for president because I knew what he was capable of. He has not let us down," Katongole said.
He challenged Lugalambi to build on the momentum by growing the club's membership beyond 200 while ensuring continuity in service and leadership.
Katongole also applauded the media for increasing Rotary's visibility. He paid special tribute to Vision Group and Osike for consistently highlighting Rotary activities and community service initiatives.
He revealed that Osike, who serves on the Joint Communications Committee of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation, had been recognised among the organisation's best-performing communication leaders globally and had been assigned to support Rotary public image efforts in other regions of the world.
Dr Fabian Kasi, the managing director of Centenary Bank and the chief guest, described the installation as a celebration of service, continuity and shared purpose.
"Succession is not about replacing leaders. It is about continuing the legacy, continuing the mission and preserving the DNA of the club," Kasi said.
He commended Mugume for strengthening the club through impressive growth and impactful service projects and expressed confidence that Lugalambi would build on that solid foundation.