Transparency key to securing global grants, Rotarians told
The Rotary Club of Gaba was established in August 1992 by the late Nelson Kawalya and past assistant governor J.B. Walusimbi, both members of the Rotary Club of Mengo.
Dr Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, addresses Rotarians during the installation of the 34th President of the Rotary Club of Ggaba at Ggaba Parish Gardens on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
_________________
Rotary clubs have been urged to strengthen transparency, accountability and compliance in the management of grant funds to ensure projects deliver lasting benefits to the communities they are intended to serve.
As Rotarians begin a new year of service, clubs have been advised to ensure grant funds are used effectively, efficiently and responsibly.
Having served on the stewardship committee for District 9214 during the last Rotary year, Yason Muhereza said some of the challenges affecting project implementation include inadequate community needs assessments, failure to obtain competitive bids for project expenses, changing approved vendors without authorisation, forgery of signatures by project contact persons, cash payments without vouchers or receipts, and projects being managed entirely by one Rotarian.
To enforce financial discipline, Muhereza said Rotary has taken firm action against those found to have mismanaged project funds.
“The district has not kept a blind eye to any club or individuals that mismanage project funds. Clubs have been terminated, forced to refund project funds, and individual Rotarians have been terminated from Rotary.”
A section of Rotarians attends the installation of the 34th President of the Rotary Club of Ggaba at Ggaba Parish Gardens on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
He said proper management of Rotary funds requires accountability, transparency, responsibility, sustainability and compliance with grant requirements and Rotary Foundation policies.
Since funders value transparency and honesty, Muhereza advised clubs to communicate openly whenever projects encounter challenges.
“If your project faces setbacks, communicate openly and honestly alongside the solutions you are implementing to the District Rotary Foundation Committee (DRFC). You can also disclose any potential conflicts of interest involving any partners or clubs.”
“For better management of project funds, all funds for the grant project should be deposited into the project bank account. Besides that, payments should be made directly to vendors either by cheque or bank transfers. You should also keep copies of all financial documents and transactions,” explained Muhereza.
He made the remarks during the installation of the 34th president of the Rotary Club of Gaba at Ggaba Parish Gardens on July 4, 2026.
During the ceremony, outgoing club president Jolly Lageorges Akendi handed over the instruments of office to incoming president Odeth Kempogo.
District Governor Daniel Mukasa Ddamulira (left), Rotary District 9214 (2026–2027), joins Odeth Kempogo, the 34th President of the Rotary Club of Ggaba, her parents, and Assistant Governor Mercy Nalusiba for a photo after the installation ceremony at Ggaba Parish Gardens on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
The Rotary Club of Gaba was established in August 1992 by the late Nelson Kawalya and past assistant governor J.B. Walusimbi, both members of the Rotary Club of Mengo.
The club focuses on improving the quality of life in communities around Ggaba through humanitarian service, while promoting ethical conduct, goodwill, peace and unity.
Rotarian Akiiki Byaruhanga, who has been a member for 33 years, said the club has implemented projects worth more than $500,000 through matching grants and, more recently, Rotary Foundation global grants.
“The latest project which we have completed is worth $150,000. Adopt a Village project in Kidera, Tororo district, was founded in memory of the Rotary International president-elect Sam Owori and Norah Owori, who passed away. As we embrace service above self, we focus on empowering youth and promoting togetherness,” Byaruhanga stated.
Kempogo said the club will participate in the district-wide Ten Days of Double Impact initiative, bringing together Rotary clubs across District 9214 to implement community projects.
Working in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bunga, the club plans to construct a perimeter fence at St Paul Demonstration Primary School in Ggaba and support the upgrading of Katembe Health Centre II to Health Centre III.
Kempogo previously worked on UNHCR refugee projects in Nakivale, Oruchinga, Rwamwanja and Kyaka II refugee settlements and currently serves as a counsellor with the Ministry of Health.
She holds a degree in Guidance and Counselling from Kyambogo University and is a member of the Uganda Counselling Association. She said she joined Rotary because of her passion for serving communities.
During the celebrations, the director general of health services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Charles Olaro, commended District 9214 Governor Daniel Mukasa Ddamulira for spearheading a blood donation drive that collected more than 3,000 units of blood.
The campaign covered 24 schools across five corridors and yielded 3,319 units of blood. Greater Masaka collected 892 units, Ggaba 568, Entebbe Corridor 652, Masaka Corridor 664 and Western Zone One 543 units.
Olaro urged Rotarians to expand blood donation campaigns, noting that Uganda requires 500,000 units of blood annually.
“Every year, we need to collect 500,000 units of blood. You need to keep on collecting and replacing blood because one unit of blood costs $86, and this one unit of bloodtakes only 35 days, and it expires.”
He also appealed to Rotarians to contribute to the global fight against polio.
“If each of us gave $3, at least we would have protected the child. To protect at least 100 children, I will contribute $300 to the polio fund of Ggaba club.”
District 9214 Governor Daniel Mukasa Ddamulira said this year's theme — Each One Engage for Impact — aligns with Rotary International's focus on creating lasting change.
“I implore each one of us to have an impact. Transform communities to become better
than we found them, collaborate with each other to achieve greater results, get involved, and not just be present; be united and initiate change. Let us go out to serve humanity while preserving human dignity,” Ddamulira advised Rotarians.