Rotary is not for the rich, says new club president

LIFESTYLE

KAMPALA - Rotary International is not an exclusive club of the rich, the new President of the Rotary Club of Muyenga Sunday Sunset, Abraham Dalton Mpumwire, has said.

Speaking shortly after he was installed on Sunday, Mpumwire pledged to grow membership at the club which started three years ago.

Mpumwire dismissed the notion that Rotary, a global organization, was a preserve of wealthy people.

"There is a misconception that Rotary is only for the rich. This is not true. Even a contribution of one thousand shillings from anyone can make an impact in the lives of communities," he said.

Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and advance goodwill and peace around the world.

It is a non-political and non-sectarian organization open to all people regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, or political preference.

Statistics indicate that there are more than 35,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, and over 1.2 million members, known as Rotarians.

Retired Chief Justice, Steven Kavuma (right), past governor of Rotary District 9211 Emmanuel Katongole (4th right), and Abraham Mpumwire (4th left) at the fellowship of the Rotary Club of Muyenga Sunday Sunset in Kampala on Sunday

 
Rotarians gather regularly for breakfast, lunch, or dinner to fulfill their first guiding principle to develop friendships as an opportunity for service.

"If Rotary was a religion, the whole world would have been converted," said Mpumwire of the organisation he joined barely two years ago.

Service above self

Prossy Nabbanja, the outgoing Rotary club president said the club's focus will be on the environment, education, health, and youth programmes.

"About 122,000 hectares of trees are destroyed in Uganda every year, yet only about 7,000 hectares are planted," Nabbanja disclosed.

The club last year planted 10,000 trees in Buddo and Nakifuma and more trees will be planted on ten acres around Ssesse islands, she said.

Francis Xavier Ssentamu, the sitting Governor of Rotary District 9211 said Rotary has a lot of opportunities for all persons to offer selfless service, irrespective of their background.

Rotary District 9211 consists of 140 clubs in Uganda and Tanzania, which have been active in supporting education and literacy, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, among others.