The District Governor Rosseti Nabuumba Nayenga, Past District Governor Ken Mugisha, Assistant Governor Jimmy Serugo, Country Chair Phyllis, District and Country officials, Fellow Opportunity Presidents, Fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and guests; greetings and welcome.
I thank you all for making the time to be here with us.
It gives me great joy and it is a privilege to stand here as the newly installed 29th President of the Rotary Club of Kampala South. I thank God for his infinite mercies and for enabling us to all be here today. I thank my family for the sacrifices they make at home and at work to enable me share my time and resources with Rotary. I thank the club members for entrusting us, the team of 2020/21 with the leadership of the club. I thank President Peter and his team for all the great work they have done this past year to get us to this point and we pledge to build upon these achievements.
The incoming board has set annual goals in line with the Rotary International strategic priorities and the District goals. Achieving these goals will entail the participation and engagement of all the club members. Read more
Rotarians from Kampala South awoke to a heavy downpour on Monday morning but none of their moods or excitement was dampened. The buzz was loud, the excitement was boiling over and the organisers were running around like headless chicken in order to ensure that all preparations for the Installation of President Jennifer and the District Governors visit were precise has in keeping with the brand of Kampala South.
The day's event kicked off with extremely prompt arrival of the Assistant Governor Jimmy Serugo who was on hand to receive the District Governor who also arrived very early. It enabled the board meeting kick-off 15 minutes before scheduled. The discussion that ensued was very candid and the main points driven by the DG was that a club like Kampala South should give more to the Rotary Foundation but also seek to become a club with over 200 members. Suffice it to say that it was imperative for the club to observe the standard operating procedures for public meetings. Read more
Off comes the Chain from Peter Mukuru - rendering him IPP
I have known few greater honors than the opportunity to lead a team of volunteers committed to serving humanity. I thank the members of the Rotary Club of Kampala South for having entrusted me with the responsibility of being the Club President in 2019/2020 when the theme was Rotary Connects the World. It has been an extraordinary honour and privilege to serve and Connect with you.
I wish to thank the Connecting Board for the generous and inspirational service. I thank our Past Presidents, AG Emily, PDG Xavier, my fellow Connecting Presidents, my colleagues, family, and most importantly God, for the support and for enabling me to execute the demands of the office of the President. I am grateful to our partners who have journeyed with us, and to RC Kampala North who always join us in service. In a special way, I thank VP Charles Odaga who always stood in for me. He, however, seemed to enjoy the President’s office more than I did.
On 22nd June 2020 (2 weeks ago), I gave an account of how the club had performed in the last 12 months. But Perhaps the Awards and Recognitions we received as a Club at the 95th DCA describe more eloquently than any words of mine could, and are a testimony of our Community Service and that the Connecting Board has led with impeccable skill, unwavering commitment, and generous courtesy. The progress we have registered is a consequence of the hard work from each member of Kampala South. I most sincerely thank you.
Being recognized as one of the top 3 clubs in our district is both gratifying and humbling. But we must never forget that our cause is that of service and the greatest reward is our inward satisfaction that we have done our best to cause positive and lasting change in the lives of those who did not have the blessings of our abundant opportunities and privilege.
PE Jennifer, you take over leadership of a vibrant club with money on account for projects, several GG Proposals in advanced stages, and a number of prospective members in the pipeline. I urge you to continue strengthening Governance structures especially committees and enhancing opportunities for active participation in all our avenues of service while avoiding the “My year” Syndrome but rather focusing on the long-term vision of our club and the communities we serve. I wish you every fortune of cooperation, success, resources, and wisdom so that in 12 months’ time, you handover to PE Charles, an even better club.
I have indeed enjoyed my tour of duty. I am humbled and I carry with me priceless lessons from this unique experience. I have very strong faith in our club’s capacity to transform many lives. My energies have been renewed by the unwavering support and tireless efforts shown by all our Members and Partners through my reign as President. I will forever be grateful.
Join us next Monday, 13th July 2020 for our next meeting as we host Hannington Bugingo from Fun Factory UG. He will be sharing his journey with us. Members and guest can log in via Zoom meetings using the password above.
Welcome to the Past Presidents’ Lounge, 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 Pat Lassu says “Being the then Vice President, I was catapulted to President Elect and had only 5 months to figure it all out by July of that same year because the President Elect then opted to step down in January 2015.” In this interview, he further shares his personal journey in the club as President.
Please tell us about yourself.
My name is Pat Lassu. A proud member of RC Kampala South since 2008. A husband to Henrietta and a doting dad to two girls, Mary and Christabel, and two boys, Christian and Caleb. I work with the Parliamentary Service Commission. I love golf and play as often as I can. Don’t ask about my handicap – I’m working on it. Soccer occupies a special place in my heart too – I support Express FC locally, Arsenal in the UK and Bayern Munich in Germany. I’m also a budding farmer and I consider Aggrey Kankunda a great inspiration in this regard.
How would you describe the club membership then? How many? How did you ensure you attracted and encouraged new members to participate?
I can say that the membership was vibrant and teeming with pride and purpose. We hosted the Boat Cruise as usual and it was great party with a good return from the fundraising perspective. As a result, together with our international partners, we were able to advance the Kikandwa Project which remains a Club flagship project to date. Besides, the boat cruise had and still carries the additional spin off of making the Club more attractive to potential members.
Bridgette has been a member of the club for eight months now. In this issue, she shares with us a little more about her time in Rotary, most especially as a member of this club as well her personality in general. After having a chat with Bridgette, take a look at what she had to say.
1. What do you enjoy the most about Rotary and your club in particular?
I enjoy the fellowships, there is so much to learn in just an hour. RC Kampala South is a vibrant and lively club. It's just the right dose of energy one needs to unwind.
2. If you could snap your fingers and instantly make the world better, what would you do?
I would rid the world of violence and crime.
3.What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Calm, calm and calm
4. What is the weirdest nickname someone has for you and what's the story behind ?
"Maaso gloori." I had big eyes as a child, actually I still do.
“The Rotary club of Kampala South meetings are usually attended in big numbers not only by club members but also other Rotarians. I think the magic is that they have set a particular standard that makes it fit their description of class”said Musa Sekamate when asked what he finds interesting/ inspiring about Rotary Kampala South.
Musa, a member of Rotary Kampala East says he got to know about Kampala South because both his club together with Kampala South conduct their Rotary meetings (fellowship) at the same venue; Hotel Africana although on different days. He discloses that the members of Kampala South are good people, notably his friends; Dr. Richard Kalungi and Rogers Karebi, who he usually works with on several other Rotary engagements. Musa describes them as very resourceful and inspiring young men.
For more information and regular updates on the club’s activities, please visit our website and join us every Monday, 6:00pm via Zoom meetings. You can also learn more from our social media on Twitter, Facebook,Instagram
