PP RICHARD MAYEBO
Welcome back to the corner where we learn about our leaders the Past Presidents. Most of us are aware that they have contributed so much to Kampala South as a club, however we never dive deep into the specific ways, moments and events that made them who they are today. PP Richard Mayebo, known to the club as RFM says “It has been a long while since I was President of the club (2002/2003) so some memories have faded since.” In this interview, he further shares his personal journey in the club as President.Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I have been a Rotarian for 24 years, having joined the Rotary Club of Kampala South in 1996. Coincidentally, I got married to my wife Mercy a few months after joining Rotary, and we now have three wonderful daughters. I have worked in Information Technology for most of my life, and IT remains a passion for me. 1996 must have been an auspicious year – it is the year Mr. Arsene Wenger became the Manager of Arsenal Football Club, and soon thereafter I and many football fans become lifelong Arsenal supporters. The last few years have been lean (hopefully this will soon pass), but watching my team win a football match remains a pleasure, alongside listening to music over a fine whisky.
What are some of the important moments/decisions in the Club that defined your year as Club President?
Well it is many years since I was President (2002/03), so some memories have faded. I think I was the beneficiary of decisions President Aggrey Kankunda (AK) took in the year before mine – key among which were the termination of many members who had not paid their dues, and negotiating a Matching Grant for the Send-A-Cow project. So I inherited a small club with a committed membership, and I saw my job as staying the course that had been set by AK, by insisting on a dues-compliant membership, kicking off the Matching Grant project and maintaining the club’s traditional activities like the Sports Gala before handing over a viable club to my successor Paul Muwanga (4Ps). I developed a good rapport with my Governor, Dr. Varinder Singh Sur from Mombasa, and Assistant Governor Rtn. James Kalibala from Mengo, and through those relationships was able to secure a grant to supply mosquito nets for our community in Lweza.
How would you describe the Club membership then? How many? How did you ensure that you attracted new members to participate?
I must say I cannot remember exactly how many members we were, but as I said there had been a massive cull of members in the previous year, and I inherited a small but committed club. I think we must have been around twenty five members, and I believe we had about the same number when I handed over to Paul. I think as a club we had been scarred by the experience of having many Rotarians-In-Name-Only (RINOs), so we were not really in a rush to recruit members and repeat that experience. Our focus was more on membership retention, and we tried as much as possible to have club programs that would occupy members and deepen the bonds between us. That thinking persisted for many years and may explain why many members have remained active for so long. But of course it had its shortcomings, as a small club can only do so much. I believe President Anthony Mwandha played a key role in changing that thinking when he launched a massive membership drive during his year and started the club on its journey to becoming one of the biggest clubs in the District today.
Which projects did the Club carry out during your year, any key achievements?
During my year we kicked off the Send-A-Cow Matching Grant project which we ran for a number of years. I remember visiting communities in Nakifuma and Nakisunga in Mukono District, and being appalled by the hardship that was evident in these communities, while being inspired by the potential of the project to improve the livelihoods of the families. I witnessed the strength of the mothers who provided the leadership at the family level, as well as the challenges of overcoming social attitudes in order to achieve project objectives.
I have already mentioned the distribution of mosquito nets in the Lweza community, which was a much more straightforward project. The guest of honour at that handover was the late RIPE Sam Owori. By the way in those days we ran a monthly immunisation and infant nutrition drive in Lweza as well, which I think was of immense benefit to that community.
Do you have any key words of wisdom to the members/other Rotarians/readers?
Well I can only say that I have personally enjoyed my Rotary journey. I have had the opportunity to support the less fortunate in our societies, and in so doing have come to know so many interesting and inspiring people, and travelled to places in and outside Uganda that I do not think I would have done had I not joined Rotary. Like any other organisation Rotary may have its shortcomings, but on the whole my experience has been a positive and rewarding one. Join Rotary!