KAMPALA, Uganda : The Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has applauded Rotary for impacting Ugandans through funding of various community Programmes including education, health, environmental conservation and economic empowerment among others.
“As Government of Uganda, we want to commend Rotary for being a trusted and strategic partner in national development, complementing our efforts in delivering critical services, all of which are aligned to Uganda’s Vision 2040 and National Development Plans,” Alupo said.
The vice president was speaking during the opening of the Rotary District 9213, 101st conference at Imperial Royale hotel in Entebbe yesterday April 16, 2026. Rotary’s impact is not only visible, it is transformational.
She said the work of Rotary is deeply anchored in the core values of Rotary—Leadership, Integrity, and Service Above Self emphasizing that these values mirror the principles that guide public service and national transformation.
“I am particularly encouraged by the remarkable achievements registered this Rotary year by Rotary District 9213, Through your collective generosity, more than USD 1 million has been mobilized for The Rotary Foundation, which has in turn enabled the implementation of Global Grant projects valued at over USD 4.65million,supported by, The Rotary Foundation,” she said
She said this demonstrates not only the power of giving, but also Rotary’s ability to leverage resources efficiently to deliver high-impact interventions that directly complement Government priorities in healthcare, education, water and sanitation, and economic empowerment. Rotarians, Your giving heart has enabled many communities to be transformed.
She highly commended initiatives such as Rotary Family Health Days, the Rotary Cancer Program, the Rotary Mama Toto Care Program, and the effort to establish a Bone Marrow Transplant Centre at JCRC.
The vice president emphasized that these initiatives align strongly with Government’s agenda of strengthening primary healthcare, combating non-communicable diseases, and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
“They significantly reduce the burden on public health systems while extending services closer to communities,” the vice president said.
She acknowledged, President Yoweri Museveni’s contribution of UGX 3 billion towards the Rotary Cancer Program which reflects Government’s recognition of Rotary as a key partner in advancing national health priorities, particularly in the fight against cancer.
Alupo, a Rotarian expressed passion for Maternal and Child Health, stressing that its deeply rooted in the realities faced by many Ugandan families, particularly in rural and underserved communities, where access to quality maternal and newborn care remains a challenge.
“As a nation, we cannot achieve sustainable development without safeguarding the lives of mothers and children.It is for this reason that I strongly commend and recommend the Rotary Mama Toto Care initiative spearheaded by Rotarian John Magezi, which is aligned with Government’s commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and strengthening community-based healthcare systems,” the vice president said.
The above initiative is being implemented in 14 districts representing a practical, scalable, and impactful model for improving health outcomes across the country.
She highlighted the need to amplify the impact of Rotary. She commended initiatives such as #RotaryEyamba, which enhance visibility, promote volunteerism, and attract strategic partnerships that are critical for scaling impact.
Alupo also applauded Rotary for its contribution to peacebuilding and leadership development, particularly through the establishment of the Rotary Peace Centre at Makerere University.
This Centre positions Uganda as a regional hub for peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and leadership training, equipping professionals with the skills needed to address conflicts, promote social cohesion, and sustain peace—not only in Uganda but across the African continent.
She further noted that as Government, they remain committed to providing the peace, stability, and enabling environment necessary for organizations like Rotary to thrive and deliver on their mission.
She added that Rotary’s role in mobilizing resources and fostering a culture of giving is truly inspiring and called upon all Ugandans, the private sector, and development partners to emulate this spirit of partnership and collective responsibility.
She extended her sincere appreciation to the District Governor, Rotarian Geoffrey Martin Kitakule for his exemplary leadership demonstrated throughout the Rotary year.
She also congratulated Rotarian Emmanual Katongole on becoming a Director at Rotary International and Rotarian Francis Tusibira on his appointment as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation.
In conclusion, Alupo congratulated the District Governor, Rotarians, Rotaractors, and all partners for a successful year of service and for convening this important conference. She encouraged Rotarians to continue their noble work with renewed energy, innovation, and commitment.
