MBARARA - Rotary's 98th District Conference enters its third and final day Saturday in Mbarara city in western Uganda.

Right from the opening day, Rotarians and Rotaractors have been celebrating communities at Las Vegas Hotel, the venue of the well-attended conference, in North Division.

It is the first time that the city is hosting an international Rotary conference.

Hundreds of local and international bigwigs have attended the annual meeting.

“Every year, Rotary celebrates in a district conference and assembly all its achievements during a Rotary year, which runs from July 1 until June 30 of the following year," said Peace Taremwa, the District 9214 governor.

He said they moved the conference to Mbarara "to share experiences and network with friends within the district and those around the world".

Former Ntungamo district MP Beatrice Rwakimari (C) with fellow Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Makindye after the 98th Rotary district conference break held at Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara City on Friday. (All Photos by Fred TuryaAkira)

Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, was the chief guest at the opening of the conference.

Also in attendance was Rotary International president, Jennifer Jones, Mbarara city Women MP Rita Atukwasa Bwahika and Mbarara North Division deputy resident city commissioner Robert Kanusu.

Former Ntungamo Woman MP Beatrice Rwakimari (Rotary club of Makindye), Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi, Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba and Fabian Kasi , the managing director of Centenary Bank, one of the sponsors of the conference, were also present.

In her remarks, Byanyima commended Rotary Club for finally opening the doors to women to join the network that started as an exclusive male network.

“I am so impressed, because as I was looking at what this international network is all about, and it's been quite a journey in the long run for women to become a part of this great network and help where you have come by," she said.

"It is a journey because women have taken their place and today women make up 26% of Rotary Club membership worldwide, and only 19% of Rotary Club presidents. This is progress."

Byanyima, who took the leadership of UNAIDS in 2019, is an aeronautical engineer, politician, human rights activist, feminist and diplomat.

On the opening day, she talked about leadership.

Eng Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS executive director receives Sam Awori Memorial lecture gift on Friday during the 98th Rotary district conference held at Las Vegas hotel in Mbarara City.

The 64-year-old spoke of today's global challenges, including the looming climate catastrophe that is an existential threat, increasing inequality and injustices, which she said need to be addressed effectively.

“We had the devastating impact of the COVID pandemic. These crises are filtered around the world, but they are particularly acute here in Africa. You see the floods, followed by droughts, these are climate impacts," said Byanyima.

"The effects of climate change are hurting our people even more than the rich countries, who actually created the crisis, as instability continues to plague our continent."

The UNAIDS chief said the crop of leaders needed to address today's challenges are ones who are humble, adaptable, empathetic and can connect with people on a human level for inspiration towards a common goal.

She said such attributes in leadership are key for today's complex problems.

District governor Taremwa Rotary has spent about $10 million (about sh37.6 billion) on humanitarian projects in Tanzania in hospitals and for piped water extension.

In Uganda , about $1 million (sh3.8 billion) has been injected in western central in setting up boreholes, rainwater harvest tanks and water schemes in schools and other communities.

They also started a village ambulance project, raised money and distributed 62 ambulances as well as organized a cancer charity run at Nsambya, out of which sh1.2 billion was raised.

Taremwa said they supported and equipped their blood bank with more items and supported the training of midwives.

In southwestern, the supported Nyamuyanja Health Centre IV in Isingiro district with critically needed equipment. Now, they are pushing for the facility to be elevated to a district hospital, thanks to the added equipment.

Taremwa said that this year, the focus is on peace and conflict resolution.

Their team have been to Nakivale refugee settlement, looking at how they can partner with them.

"We are there to support the government in all the health facilities where they have identified the challenge."

Additionally, to mitigate climate change effects, the club has planted nearly 10 million trees through the greening environment programme.

Their strategy is to graduate from planting trees to growing trees to protect the environment.