Support us, local Red Cross urges public

By Darious Magara    

KAMPALA - The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has called on the Ugandan public to partner with them in order to boost their financial capacity as they serve the public as a charity organization.

Robert Kwesiga, the URCS general secretary recently said they need more local support.

According to him, popular assumption is that donations to support URCS will always come from international donors yet the body is managed locally and requires more domestic funding.

He said: “Ugandans have failed to appreciate what Uganda Red Cross is all about. We need to solicit more partnerships and also win back our donors who left,” he said.

This was on the day URSC marked its jubilee anniversary since it was admitted as a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Kwesiga pointed out that when they generate local financial and other support, it will be easy for the organization to execute its duties and to be sustainable.
 

During the function, there were calls for road safety, especially directed to motorists and motorcyclists. (Credit: Darious Magara)

URCS is founded on seven fundamental principles namely; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

During the celebrations held at their offices in Rubaga, Kampala, Kwesiga also appealed for more volunteers and said that they are lacking funding but will continue to mobilize resources to keep their activities running.

He cited the Government of Uganda, Red Cross National Societies and the Indian Association, Uganda, as some of the partners pivotal in the execution of their duties.

Elhadj As Sy, the general secretary of International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, called on the charity leadership to remain focused.
 

true
URCS board chairman, Joseph Omilmot speaks to journalists at their offices. (Credit: Darious Magara)

On his part, Dave Chirag, the chairman Indian Association in Uganda, pledged to continue partnering with URCS, saying that it is their corporate social responsibility to pay back to Ugandans where they live and work today.

“The Indian Association is a strong partner with Red Cross in various activities and we shall continue work together to serve and help communities to get better,” he said.

He said they have carried out 70 blood donation drives in the last two years and will work with the Ugandan charity organization to serve needy communities in the fields of health and poverty eradication.

The URCS board chairman, Joseph Omilmot said they were working on building confidence of the people and donors following problems with some of the organization’s past leadership and called for more patience as court handles cases.

Omilmot said the organization is ready, vibrant to serve the public but also called upon drivers and boda boda cyclists (motorcyclists) to be more careful when on the road to avoid accidents.