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Amid applause and optimism, Dr Frederick Bakandoda was over the weekend installed as the second president of the Rotary Club of Uptown Kampala, stepping into a long-awaited calling to serve beyond self.
Bakandoda, a former Rotaractor and one of the three founding members of the Rotary Club of Uptown Kampala, took over from Immy Nakyeyune who served for over two years as the president of the club.
When summing up the leadership of the club, Bakandonda did so with a clear message of service must be practical, visible and impactful, setting the tone for what is shaping into an ambitious year for one of Kampala’s youngest Rotary clubs.
Barely three years old, the Rotary Club of Uptown Kampala is positioning itself as a hub for young professionals committed to community service, with a strong focus on health, youth empowerment and environmental sustainability.
At the centre of Dr Bakandonda’s agenda is healthcare, an area he says resonates deeply with the club’s membership, many of whom are medical professionals. The club’s first major activity will be a joint medical camp scheduled for July 25, organised in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kampala South.
The outreach is expected to deliver a range of services, including immunisation, maternal healthcare, youth-focused treatment and cancer screening.
“We want to extend medical care to communities that need it most. Health is something we hold dear, not only as professionals but as Rotarians,” Dr Bakandonda said.
The club is scaling up its blood donation campaign, building on a smaller initiative conducted last year. This time, the project will be expanded through a partnership with the Buganda Kingdom, allowing for multiple donation points across different counties.
“Last year we operated from a single point. We are looking at six to eight collection centres to increase access and participation. Every drop counts,” he said.
In addition, the club is taking its services beyond Kampala through a programme dubbed “Health on the Go,” which will see members conduct medical outreaches in eastern Uganda, starting with Iganga before extending to other districts.
Beyond healthcare, the club is maintaining its support for youth development initiatives, including its partnership with the Kampala Chess Association, where young players are nurtured through structured mentorship.
“These are brilliant young people who simply need support and exposure,” Dr Bakandonda said.
Environmental sustainability is also emerging as a key pillar in the club’s strategy. In line with Rotary’s global priorities, the club has committed to integrating environmental considerations into all its projects.
“We are going to ensure that every activity has an environmental component. That includes tree planting, promoting sustainable practices and reducing pollution wherever possible,” he said.
To reinforce this commitment, the club has introduced a dedicated environmental officer within its leadership structure, an indication of how seriously it is taking the issue. The club’s current momentum builds on foundations laid by its charter president, Immy Nakyeyune Ainomugisha, who co-founded the club alongside fellow Rotarians after transitioning from Rotaract.
Rotaract serves younger members aged between 18 and 30, and many members often face uncertainty when moving into Rotary. For Nakyeyune and her colleagues, the solution was to create a club that bridges that gap.
“We wanted a space where young professionals could continue serving in a familiar environment,” she said.
However, establishing a Rotary club came with significant challenges. From mobilising members to commit financially, to setting up governance structures and legal registration, the process required both persistence and sacrifice.
“It takes a lot to start something for volunteers. People are giving their time and resources willingly, and that requires patience and leadership,” she said.
Despite these challenges, the club has recorded notable achievements in a short time. Among its projects is a polio immunisation campaign conducted in an informal settlement in Kampala, where the team combined vaccination efforts with community sensitisation to address vaccine hesitancy.
The club also carried out a medical outreach in Kasawo, serving more than 200 residents, while providing scholastic materials to a local primary school. In Mukono, the club partnered with a financial institution to establish a community library aimed at empowering women and girls through literacy and financial education.
Additionally, members have conducted financial literacy training sessions for market vendors, equipping them with basic business and digital skills, as well as alternative income-generating activities such as soap making.
These initiatives have largely been supported through member contributions and partnerships with corporate entities, which raised about Shs 11 million in the past year. Still, sustaining such programmes remains a challenge, particularly in a volunteer-driven organisation.
“Leading volunteers is very different from managing employees. You cannot compel people to show up you have to inspire them,” she said.
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, https://observer.ug/news/young-rotarians-set-ambitious-service-agenda-for-kampala-communities/
