Rotary strengthens growth, strategies

KAMPALA - Rotary in Uganda and Africa as a whole is strengthening strategies to achieve growth targets in 2025/2026. 

According to the leadership of the service organisation, targets boosted membership, community projects and capitalisation of the Rotary Foundation (TRF).

To mark 100 days since installation, the governor of Rotary District 9214, Christine Kyeyune Kawooya, on Wednesday (October 22, 2025) spent an evening with the Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Muyenga at Muyenga International Hotel in Kampala.

Her visit to the most progressive Rotary club on the continent reflected on the achievements and laying strategies to meet all the stated annual prospects of Rotary, well-structured in the 2025/2026 International Rotary presidential message, “United for Good.”  Rotary District 9214 covers Uganda and Tanzania.

The International Rotary President, Francesco Arezzo, has since indicated that ‘Unite for Good ‘is a simple phrase, but a powerful one.’ He argues that ‘behind every successful Rotary effort, ‘every act of service, every new member welcomed, every global challenge met, there are two things that matter most,’ friendship and trust.’

The Rotary District 9214 Governor, Christine Kyeyune Kawooya speaks during her visit to the Rotary Club of Muyenga at Muyenga, Kampala, on October 22, 2025. (Credit: Ronnie Kijjambu)

The president of the Rotary Club of Muyenga, Alex Mugume, reported that in the first quarter of the 2025/2026 Rotary Year, the club had remitted over $70,000 (about sh243.8m) to the TRF. The club leadership later handed a dummy cheque for the money to the governor.

 “As Rotary Club of Muyenga, we don't have stories to tell; we just act. On the front of the projects, we are closing in on five global grant projects. So, what else do we bargain for? Why should I tell you lots of stories?” Mugume said.

He celebrated the sacrifice Rotarians endure, including ‘hurting’ their pockets every other day for the betterment of communities. “So, if you are doing this in the first quarter, what will happen in the next? What is going to happen to the communities we serve? We are doing the right thing and keep doing the right thing.”

The governor hailed not only those decorated but also those who offer great service to the biggest global voluntary movement (Rotary) hailed Muyenga for its commitment to the transformation of communities.

The Rotary District 9214 Governor, Christine Kyeyune Kawooya (left), the President of the Rotary Club of Muyenga, Alex Bwomeezi Mugume (second left), the assistant Governor of Rotary Club of Kajjansi, Alex Kamukama (second right) and the Past District Governor, Kenneth Mugisha (right) listen to contributions from members during the Rotary District 9214 Governor's visit to Rotary Club of Muyenga at Muyenga, Kampala on October 22. (Credit: Ronnie Kijjambu)

 

“You remember that project where every club contributed $2,000 (about sh6.9m? I requested you to do another one at Kabule at $15,000 (about sh52.1m). The president and the board members agreed that it is doable. So, they are going to give us another project in the line of oxygen as a service, just by themselves, not coupled up with so many other clubs,” he said.

 The governor, however, regretted that despite the club contributing well to the Rotary TRF, it was a burden being shouldered by about 30% of the club membership in terms of per capita.

 “The 30% cannot sustain a club in terms of giving. If these people are tired and do not have the funds or the ability or the participation to give anymore, we need to create new ones. We need to inculcate a culture of giving within all the other Rotarians. 70% of the members who do not contribute, is such a big number,” Kawooya said. Kawooya reiterated her appeal for every Rotarian in her district to contribute $100 (sh347,000) to the Rotary Foundation this year. 

 “I requested all the Rotarians to give at least $100 to the Rotary Foundation. That is my question in terms of us carrying on with impact. The Rotary Club of Muyenga, this is something we can do,” she said.

The governor challenged the club on the possibility of growing the Paul Harris Fellows (PHF) who contribute at least $1000 (about sh3.4m) a year to TRF, from nine to at least 20 members.

Rotarian Felix Osike (left) looks on as the Past District Governor, Emmanuel Katongole, speaks during the Rotary District 9214 Governor, Christine Kyeyune Kawooya's visit to the Rotary Club of Muyenga at Muyenga, Kampala. (Credit: Ronnie Kijjambu)

 

“The assured amount is $9,000 (sh31.2m). Can we grow this number?  I was so happy with the board members because many people agreed they're becoming major donors,” she said.

Kawooya has since rallied the Rotarians of Uganda and Tanzania under her leadership (Dist 9214) to contribute towards a target of realising $1m (about sh3.4b) to TRF in this Rotary Year.

 Kawooya reiterated her call to grow Rotary membership, commending the club on its commitment to achieve 531 new members in this Rotary year; it has already contributed 153.

She emphasised the great need to attract more young people to join Rotary, saying that as a district their target is to have members aged 45 and below. “So, I encourage them to attract and invite younger members because many of us are getting tired. When you get to an age above 45 or 50, the likelihood of you waking up in the morning at 7:00am or 6:00am is not as it would have been,” she said.

 The Rotary International Director (RID) director for Zone 22, Emmanuel Katongole, in his message to the Rotarians, re-echoed a phrase from his friend past district governor, Stephen Mwanje; “We want to do everything to be bigger, better and bolder.”

 To support Rotary objectives, Katongole disclosed that some prominent Rotarians were implementing funds at TRF, including the deputy governor of the Bank of Uganda, Prof Augustus Nuwagaba, who doubles as a member of Rotary Club of Muyenga.

He disclosed that Prof Augustus Nuwagaba Fund for Economic Empowerment at the Rotary Foundation was already in effect.

“As I speak, it has $33,000 to start. And this fund is going to grow and grow. And on November 14, 2025, we are going to launch it officially. If you have a passion in economic empowerment, anybody will be free to contribute to that fund in his honor by contributing $1,000 or more, which will go into your name but tied to the Prof Augustus Nuwagaba Fund for Economic Empowerment,” Katongole said.

 Seasoned city lawyer, Prof Alex Basasha, according to Katongole, offered to boost Nuwagaba’s fund with $10,000. Katongole pledged $5000 to the fund.

According to Katongole, Bashasha will also start his own fund at $25,000. “Prof Bashasha has committed that he will grow this fund like Nuwagaba,” he said.

According to Katongole Rotarian Kin Kariisa, the proprietor of Next Media Services (NBS) has since established a fund in honour of his mother, Maama Kariisa and has already committed $25,000 on top of establishing Maama Kariisa Maternity Ward at Rubare Health Centre IV in Ntungamo district.

Katongole revealed that he has since started his own fund at IRF called the Sam Owori Fund for Peace and contributed $25,000 to start the fund. “Today, I think it's $800,000. That is how a fund grows, and it supports the Rotary Foundation,” he said.

Katongole equally revealed that Rotary and Bank of Uganda will soon forge a partnership for the good cause of transforming communities.

Nuwagaba, who is an international consultant on economic transformation, in a brief about Prof Augustus Nuwagaba Economic Empowerment Fund shared with the New Vision, highlighted that the aim is to raise over $1m to support economic development and improve livelihoods across the world.

“This fund provides a comprehensive initiative to provide financial assistance, skills training, and mentorship to individuals and small businesses, mostly from the less privileged/vulnerable communities such as youth, women, persons with disabilities, and other low-income earners,” he stated.

He noted that the fund is a special gift that allows donors to establish an endowment or term fund with a unique name in their honour or the honour of another person.

“These funds aim at providing financial support for specific purposes, such as a particular area of focus, a participating district, or a desired location. The Prof Augustus Nuwagaba Economic Empowerment Programme is aimed at raising funds to provide accessible financial services to low-income individuals and small businesses in form of loans and grants, offer skills training and capacity-building programmes, foster entrepreneurship and job creation, support vulnerable populations to enhance their income and livelihood, mentorship and coaching,” Nuwagaba said.