By Victoria Bugembe Nampala
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Cooperation, Oryem Henry Okello, has commended the Rotary Club of Kampala-Munyonyo for complementing government efforts through impactful community service initiatives.
Speaking during the installation ceremony of Connie Nuwagaba as the 10th President of the Rotary Club of Najjera at Sheraton Hotel Kampala, Okello praised Rotary’s contribution in key sectors including water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education, literacy, environmental protection, disease prevention, peacebuilding, and community empowerment.
“Rotary is a valuable government partner through its voluntary and impactful service to communities, which undoubtedly complements our efforts,” Okello said.
He noted that the government highly values Rotary’s non-partisan approach, structured service delivery systems, and strong accountability mechanisms, describing the organisation as a reliable partner for government-led initiatives.
Okello further pledged to strengthen collaboration between Rotary clubs and government programmes to improve service delivery across communities.
“Rotary is a well-organised entity with a proven track record in accountability. We are looking at ways to link this network to government projects for more effective service delivery,” he added.
During the event, the minister also announced an educational opportunity for Rotarians, revealing plans to facilitate 10 scholarships annually for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in China under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs programme.
According to Okello, the scholarships will focus on international relations, tourism, and technology, equipping beneficiaries with skills to contribute to national and global development.
Connie Nuwagaba officially took over leadership from Irene Mwoyogwona, Head of Finance at Pride Microfinance Ltd. The installation ceremony was presided over by Past District Governor Kenneth Mugisha and attended by fellow Past District Governors Stephen Mwanje, Ann Nkutu, and Mike Ssebalu.
Okello applauded the outgoing president for her contribution to improving lives, particularly in the education sector, expressing confidence that the incoming leadership would deliver even greater impact.
In her acceptance speech, Nuwagaba described herself as a passionate Rotarian dedicated to service, growth, and community transformation.
“Our focus will be on life-changing projects that address real needs in our communities. We intend to achieve this by actively applying for Rotary International global grants and strengthening partnerships with like-minded organisations across the globe,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in advancing Rotary’s mission, expressing optimism that the club would expand its reach and interventions through strategic partnerships and sustainable funding.
