Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Donates Shs133million to Rotary Greening Projects

Summary:

• Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa donated Shs133.18 million (USD35,000) to the Rotary Club of Kampala Central to support environmental initiatives. He encouraged Ugandans to embrace Rotary fellowship to combat mental health issues, emphasizing Rotary’s values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.

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KAMPALA, (Examiner) – Thomas Tayebwa, has generously donated Shs133.18 million (USD35,000) to support Rotary activities focused on environmental sustainability. This announcement was made shortly after Mr. Tayebwa installed Ms. Marion Adengo Muyobo as the 32nd President of the Rotary Club of Kampala Central on June 5.

Mr. Tayebwa emphasized the importance of utilizing fellowship initiatives like those offered by Rotary clubs to address mental health challenges such as stress. He highlighted his and his wife’s previous contribution of USD25,000, and their decision to increase this amount to USD35,000 this year. The funds are intended to bolster the club’s efforts in climate change mitigation and promoting sound environmental practices.

“Last year, we [my wife, Ms. Anita Rukundo Tayebwa, and I] gave USD25,000. We are going to increase it to the Rotary Foundation, contributing USD35,000,” said Mr. Tayebwa.

He praised the club’s initiatives, particularly those aimed at saving the River Nile through the “Run for the Nile” campaign and improving maternal and child healthcare. He urged the new president, Ms. Adengo, to effectively implement these programs, emphasizing that her leadership would be crucial in expanding the club’s outreach and galvanizing its membership.

Ms. Adengo, who succeeded Mr. Francis Wangi, committed to furthering the club’s goals of promoting sustainable environmental practices and enhancing community health.

“It is at this juncture that I declare my acceptance to lead the Rotary Club of Kampala Central as its 32nd President for the year 2024-25. I am humbled to be your president and I commit to working with everybody,” Ms. Adengo stated.

Mr. Tayebwa also encouraged Ugandans to embrace the core values of Rotary: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. He stressed the importance of Rotary in providing solace and combating mental health issues, sharing his personal experience of finding peace through the organization.

“We work in a world which is so stressful, and we find solace in Rotary. I give not because I have much but because I know the pain of not having,” he said. “Let us commit ourselves to the core values of Rotary; service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. Together, we can continue to make a difference, one project at a time and one life at a time.”

His call to address mental health challenges comes amidst rising suicide rates in Uganda, underscoring the urgent need for community support and mental health initiatives.