THE LOW DOWN - LILIAN BAGAMBE

ET: OUTSIDE ROTARY?
LB: I come from a family of 6 children. My Parents (now retired) were both Rotarians Dad from Kampala arch, and Mum the Inner-wheel of Kampala Arch. At the time, it was unusual for women to be Rotarians and so the wives of Rotarians became inner-wheelers.

My friends are of a very diverse nature from the old to the young, men and women, girls and boys and various walks of life. I really would not put them in a box because they are different and yet all dear to me in their own right.

What they would say about me? Am a “black or white” person. I really don’t know how to play “grey area” games. I guess the world is confusing enough not to add on playing in the grey area... So I tend to say it like it is

ET: WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN & GAMES
LB: I like nature.....just being in the wilderness hence my regular trips to Hoima. The birds singing, fresh air and lovely landscape? Can’t beat those. Then i like live music and also dance. I also like humor...to have a good laugh . English humor is the best... And the other thing, fast cars!

ET: WE GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
LB: The commitment and enthusiasm of my mentor, Geofrey inspired me to join Rotary, but also i grew up in a home of Rotarians.  Since i was little, have participated in projects, the charity walks, and got prizes etc, so i grew up seeing the service above self in practice. Rotarians were always warm people, going out of their way for each other and so when Geofrey came along my joining came naturally because he was preaching to the converted.

What motivates me to stay is the sense of family and true friendship in Rotary....I have met some of the most genuine people in Rotary and that is priceless..! It is also a forum where people from all walks of life talk at par, and are bound by great values...That too is something to write home about..

ET: WHAT IS YOUR HIGHER CALLING?
LB: I believe my higher calling is influencing society through creating platforms or enabling others to be the best that they can be, particularly the young people.

My dream or vision is to have centers around the country, training people in various aspects to be excellent in whatever they do and do it with a passion. Not there yet, but it is a vision and taking baby steps to get there. Only then can we create a better place for our children and their children’s children.

ET: ANY WORDS OF WISDOM?
LB: “Be the change that you want to see........” Mahatma Ghandi. It all starts with us! Unfortunately we are in a society or culture that has mastered the blame game and end up doing nothing about the wrongs we constantly complain about.

ET: BOOKS YOU RECOMMEND WE READ?

LB: One of my favorite books “Lord of the Flies”  its philosophy is that humans are inherently savage, depending on the environment you put them ......I did not think it applied but i see it these days, with the level of impunity in our society and the way it replicates itself... It’s scary but true....So beware what you expose your children to lest the beast in them pops out..!

ET: EVER DONE ANYTHING OTHERS CONSIDERED CRAZY?
LB: Well i went bungee jumping about 3 years ago, and will do it again....Adrenalin rush, but most of all the most amazing feeling of freedom just like the birds in the air.......