Rotary recognises Ndyanabangi for her activism

Rotary Club of Bukoto has recognised Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi for her outstanding contribution towards tobacco control abuse and raising awareness of mental health in Uganda.

The Vocational Service Award is presented annually to someone in the community who has exemplified outstanding professional achievement while maintaining very high ethical standards.

Ndyanabangi and Dr Ken Chapman Mwesigwa Kigozi were among those who qualified for the award

The award was handed over by the former Busiro East MP, Mike Kennedy Sebalu, who commended Ndyanabangi for fighting for the lives of Ugandans.

"She was passionate about eradicating tobacco abuse among the youth and her argument was centred on the fact that tobacco had no benefits other than damaging health systems, thus the need to make it hard for one to find or smoke cigarettes" Sebalu said.

He added that Ndyanabangi was a mental health advocate who played a leading role in the enactment of the Tobacco 2015 Act as well as raising awareness on mental health.

Speaking after receiving the award at Kabira Country Club, Jonathan Ndyanabangi the husband to the deceased, tasked rotary members to continue with the work that his wife started, saying if the Tobacco Control Act 2015 is implemented, his wife will rest in eternal peace.

Dr Ken Chapman, Sophia Nanteza and Chapman's wife Lina Nampijja with the award. Photo by Ramadhan Abbey

In July 2015, Parliament passed the Tobacco Control Act and was assented to by the President on September 19, 2015 and even gazetted in November 2015 amidst support from MPs, but it has not yet been implemented.

Ndyanabangi said unless the law is implemented, many youth will continue abusing drugs which will also affect their health.   

The president of Rotary Club Bukoto, Moses Kafeero said rotary annually looks at different people who have contributed positively to society.

"The names were sent to the committee and the two members emerged the winners; 2018 Dr Ndyanabangi and 2019 Dr Ken Chapman Mwesigwa Kigozi," Kafeero explained.

Kafeero added that the committee selected Chapman because he started a dental clinic at Mengo Hospital and solicited for equipment to be used there in the 1980s when he had just joined the hospital. At the time there was no school for dental surgery.

"As rotary, we appreciate him for the contribution to the health fraternity," he said.

Kafeero revealed that Chapman left his birth place in Texas, USA, for Uganda aged 27 after the overthrow of Idi Amin.