Dear Rotary Family,
July was a whirlwind of activities for me as I visited 40 Rotary Clubs in the Kampala, Central and Western regions. While I greatly enjoyed making acquaintance with the different clubs and Rotarians, I was saddened by the missed opportunity to meet many of you due to the need to observe the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures. Nonetheless, I believe we shall meet some time soon.
One of my preliminary observations has been the variance between clubs in terms of culture and traditions. While some clubs are formal and traditional, others are a hybrid. I believe that in this fast changing world, we need to continuously embrace change, including our meeting formats in order to remain responsive to the needs and character of our membership. There are no fixed rules of what is right or wrong in terms of Rotary rituals and traditions as long as the Rotary values are upheld. Infact the more diverse our clubs are, the more opportunities we create for people from diverse backgrounds to join our clubs; and the more opportunities we create for Rotary service.
My Family of Rotary
“The past is the beginning of the beginning and all that is and has been is but the twilight of the dawn. H. G. Wells
Welcome to our year of service 2020-21 when Rotary Opens Opportunities!! I am so delighted to recommit myself to the duty ahead of us of steering District 9211 into the highest level of service, and I am sure that you too are ready to roll with me! Let us rock!
Every year, July 1st is always an exciting time for the Rotary Family inclusive of Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, Members of Inner Wheel and our partners. We have just completed a most amazing year of service 2019/20 under the leadership of my dear friend and mentor now Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) Francis Xavier Sentamu accompanied by his lovely spouse Rtn. Brenda Sentamu and the Xs young generation. Thank you IPDG Francis for a most successful year despite the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) that impacted on our operations, meetings, trainings, and other events. The splendid work done by the Connecting Presidents and leaders will always be remembered as it is the foundation upon which we spring as Opportunity Leaders.
My Family of Rotary:
I welcome you back from the first ever Virtual District Conference and Assembly in D9211. I commend the 95th District Conference and Assembly Chair, PAG David Balaka and his team for the great work in ensuring that we have a memorable 95th Virtual District Conference and Assembly.
This is my last monthly message as your District Governor. At midnight on June 30, 2020, I turn the District Governor instrument of power to District Governor Elect Rosette Nayenga Nabbumba and will head back to my Rotary club and embrace my immediate Rotary family and get back to work in my club and my community. I will miss many things as experienced in my Governorship like official club visits, installation ceremonies, Fundraising events, charity walks, Foundation dinners, Interact Club charters, District Rotaract meetings, new member induction ceremonies, District Conference Committee meetings and numerous conference calls.
My Family of Rotary
As a former Rotaractor, youth engagement is close to my heart. And you can therefore imagine my delight when Rotary International elevated Rotaract to full membership status. And the Rotaractors have not disappointed. Within our own district, Rotaractors have contributed more than $5,000 to TRF, in addition, 6 Rotaract Clubs have applied and obtained district grants from the Rotary Foundation. And as a result, they are now firmly in the driving seat, initiating and implementing projects that they are passionate about, at scale. I would therefore like to congratulate DRR Jakob, his team and the concerned clubs on these achievements and the remarkable growth in membership through the addition of 32 new Rotaract/Interact Clubs.
The Rotary District 9211 Governor Francis Xavier Sentamu in the company of other Rotary District leaders has today handed over to the Prime Minister of Uganda Rt.Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda items worth UGX 800 million for use by the government and, through Rotary clubs, hospitals and health centres around the country in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
Rotary District 9211 which covers Uganda and Tanzania has so far raised the equivalent of USD 323,879 from Rotary clubs in both countries, the Rotary Foundation and other Rotary partners in response to the appeal made by the Presidents of both countries to mobilize resources in support of government efforts to fight the pandemic.
The Rotary District 9211 which covers Uganda and Tanzania has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by offering to partner with the respective Ministries of Health and the National Task Force both in Uganda and Tanzania. In Uganda, this process has been finalized and in Tanzania, discussions are already underway.
District Governor Francis Xavier Sentamu announced on Thursday that Rotary will contribute Personal Protection Equipment, Test Kits, and Wash Facilities, all valued at US$263,000. Rotary District 9211 through its 168 clubs in Uganda and Tanzania will also contribute enormously to create awareness of the government guidelines for the control of the Covid19 spread.
When the Covid19 crisis broke out in the region, District Governor Sentamu set up a Covid19 Emergency Response Committee to mobilize over 5000 Rotarians and Rotary partners in the district into raising and contributing to the national efforts in both countries. “I continue to call upon Rotarians, Rotaractors and partners to contribute generously to raise more funds for this effort,” he said.
District Governor Sentamu however appealed to Rotarians to stay safe by abiding to their national guidelines while working remotely online to mobilize resources and respond to the needs of the communities around them.
A few groups of Rotarians that have been authorized by the Uganda National Task Force will distribute the donated items, including educating the communities on staying safe to avoid Covid19. In Tanzania, the way forward on the distribution of these items is being co-ordinated with the National task force.
My Family of Rotary,
You will agree with me that we are going through an unprecedented period of uncertainty and the last couple of weeks have triggered a roller coaster of emotions: anxiety; fear; confusion; panic; and even anger. Just last week, we lost two great Rotarians in Uganda: President Ann Muhangi of RC Acacia Sunset and Rtn Charles Okolong of RC Bweyogerere-Namboole. The pain of these losses and those of other friends and relatives has been aggravated by our inability to stand with families and bid our loved ones farewell in the way we normally do.
The other week, Rotary leaders arrived at the painful decision of cancelling the RI Convention in Honolulu; and we quickly followed suit with the cancellation of our eagerly awaited 95th District Conference and Assembly. It was a difficult decision but the health and safety of our members remains paramount. While we will not enjoy the fruits of their labor, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise all the members of the DCA committee for their commitment to delivering what would have been a sterling DCA.
How time flies! We are already approaching the end of the third quarter of this Rotary year. And yet much remains to be done. This month alone has so many different activities and each requiring our undivided attention. It is the Rotaract month and as a former Rotaractor, I am delighted by the on-going efforts to bridge the gap between Rotaractors and Rotary. I am glad that we all finally recognize that this requires a two-way collaboration and that there is so much to learn from the Rotaractors.
My Fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, and friends,
The health and wellbeing of the family of Rotary and the population we serve is always of paramount importance to us and am making this communication with a heavy heart but knowing its the right thing to do.
95th District Conference and Assembly
It is with regret that I have to communicate bad news to you in relation to that the 95th DCA of D9211 to be held in Mbarara, Uganda. A special team of District 9211 mandated to assess the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend the best possible options, has concluded that the 95th DCA must be cancelled. The team’s primary aim was to ensure the safety of the Rotary family and the community at large. In addition, the team also took into consideration the latest government advisories related to meetings and travel restrictions. The team did consider the option of postponement but concluded that there isn’t sufficient predictability of the pandemic currently developing in our region and hence concluded that it was not a viable option.
It was 115 years ago this month that Paul Harris and three of his friends founded the first Rotary club. His goal was simple: to create an oasis of friendship amid a city of strangers, with those who shared his values. The world has changed greatly since 1905. However the values that bound Paul Harris and his friends: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership have endured and have attracted millions more. Today, Rotarians in every part of the world,
are engaged in service and are demonstrating leadership by tackling challenges in their communities and improving lives.
are engaged in service and are demonstrating leadership by tackling challenges in their communities and improving lives.
Dear Rotary Family,
July was a whirlwind of activities for me as I visited 40 Rotary Clubs in the Kampala, Central and Western regions. While I greatly enjoyed making acquaintance with the different clubs and Rotarians, I was saddened by the missed opportunity to meet many of you due to the need to observe the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures. Nonetheless, I believe we shall meet some time soon.
One of my preliminary observations has been the variance between clubs in terms of culture and traditions. While some clubs are formal and traditional, others are a hybrid. I believe that in this fast changing world, we need to continuously embrace change, including our meeting formats in order to remain responsive to the needs and character of our membership. There are no fixed rules of what is right or wrong in terms of Rotary rituals and traditions as long as the Rotary values are upheld. Infact the more diverse our clubs are, the more opportunities we create for people from diverse backgrounds to join our clubs; and the more opportunities we create for Rotary service.
Tanzania is a beautiful country with amazing scenery, an abundance of wildlife and gentle, happy people with a humanity that the rest of the world has lost touch with. But amongst all this beauty is an enemy, who lurks in wet, damp places - the female Anopheles mosquito.
My Family of Rotary
“The past is the beginning of the beginning and all that is and has been is but the twilight of the dawn. H. G. Wells
Welcome to our year of service 2020-21 when Rotary Opens Opportunities!! I am so delighted to recommit myself to the duty ahead of us of steering District 9211 into the highest level of service, and I am sure that you too are ready to roll with me! Let us rock!
Every year, July 1st is always an exciting time for the Rotary Family inclusive of Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, Members of Inner Wheel and our partners. We have just completed a most amazing year of service 2019/20 under the leadership of my dear friend and mentor now Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) Francis Xavier Sentamu accompanied by his lovely spouse Rtn. Brenda Sentamu and the Xs young generation. Thank you IPDG Francis for a most successful year despite the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) that impacted on our operations, meetings, trainings, and other events. The splendid work done by the Connecting Presidents and leaders will always be remembered as it is the foundation upon which we spring as Opportunity Leaders.
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