ENTEBBE, – Godfrey Bisiigwa was installed as the 13th President of the Rotary Club of Nkumba at a ceremony held at Keba Express Hotel, taking over leadership of one of the area’s most active service club from Immaculate Nakato.
Bisiigwa said he is ready to build on the work of past presidents by driving new projects and securing grants from Rotary District and Rotary International.
“Rotary Club of Nkumba is a club that really does good projects that serve the community. We do projects that improve the lives of people in our community,” Bisiigwa said after his installation. “As I come in as president, I want to embark on what my former presidents have done: drive for projects, lobby for grants. We have some already in the pipeline, but I also want to come up with fresh ones.”
He said the club will assess community needs, develop proposals, and move quickly to implementation. “Next weekend, I will sit with my team and draft a whole program. Projects come from proposals brought forward by members, so a lot will come out that we will implement for the communities around us,” he said.
Bisiigwa described the Rotary leadership path as gradual preparation. “For us in Rotary, you start as President Nominee, then President Elect for a year, and then you are installed. By the time it happens, you are already one, because you serve with the outgoing president,” he said.
DG Nominee Kaggwa commends club’s grant work
District Governor Nominee Designate Peter Kaggwa, who presided over the installation, commended the club for its track record with global grants and partnerships.
“I’m very happy that we get a chance to see visible projects that you’re doing and the values attached to them. You also have extra favour, the grants guru is here, so you tap into the grants guru at all times,” Kaggwa said. “I would like to commend this club for your global grants, your multi-club cooperation, and for partnering with other organisations, as we are telling other clubs to do.”
He urged Rotarians to embrace new fundraising models to support The Rotary Foundation.
“The Rotary Foundation helps us to deliver. We are encouraged to see new ways of fundraising money. We do the fundraisers, we do the book, but now we also have One Tap at a time. We need to embrace some of these innovations a bit better so that we can collect more money, send it to the Foundation, and get that money back. There are new models that we are trying to start,” he said.
MP Opio: ‘Lead with humility, serve with joy’
Guest of honour Hon. Kenan Opio, Member of Parliament for Busiro South, told Rotarians that the number 13 represents continuity, not fear.
“You are not starting from scratch. You are standing on the shoulders of 12 Presidents who have served this club with distinction,” Opio said.
He thanked the outgoing 2025/2026 board for their sacrifice. “Rotary leadership is meetings after work, projects on weekends, and giving when it is inconvenient. You have kept the wheels of Service Above Self turning in Nkumba, Entebbe, and beyond,” he said.
Opio challenged the incoming team to focus on three areas. First, youth and education, by mentoring Nkumba University’s Rotaract and Interact clubs. Second, community health and WASH, targeting fishing communities around Lake Victoria that still lack clean water and sanitation. Third, economic empowerment through vocational skills and small business mentorship for graduates.
“Rotary does not replace government, but it complements it,” Opio said. “As a Member of Parliament, I commit to being a partner. Where your projects align with government programs like PDM, Emyooga, or community health, I will open doors and support you.”
He urged Bisiigwa to measure the year by impact. “Your year will be defined not by how many meetings you hold, but by how many lives you change. Lead with humility, delegate with trust, and serve with joy,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Nkumba, based in a university and lakeside community, is known for hands-on service projects in health, education, and livelihoods. Bisiigwa’s board takes office for the 2026/2027 Rotary year.
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