The Rotarian spirit of giving at Lugogo-Mango Tree

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By Rotary Club standards it is not a very big one, with only 42 active members. But the Rotary Club of Lugogo-Mango Tree has outdone itself in donating to The Rotary Foundation (TRF), the engine room of the international Rotary movement.

And on Wednesday night at the Shell Club, Lugogo, 13 members of the club were recognised for their exemplary contribution.

The Rotary Foundation is the business arm of Rotary and is the conduit of funds generated by clubs to support and pay for the different projects that help the world’s less fortunate.

The TRF Director of RC Lugogo-Mango Tree, Rtn Immaculate Wanna, pinning Rtn Robert Okech who attained PHF+1 status, at Shell Club on Wednesday evening. (Courtesy photo)

In the latest report, RC Lugogo-Mango Tree was the second-highest contributor in Uganda to the Rotary Foundation, with 81% of members having contributed. It was only second to RC Kampala Central which had 100%.

“This is a unique club, right from the start when it had just been chartered, members have always been willing to give,” Past District Governor Steven Mwanje, the Guest of Honour, said. “On average it takes about 4 years before Rotarians appreciate what their contribution to TRF does, but members of Lugogo-Mango Tree understood it right away. And for that, we are very grateful.”

Contributions to TRF are classified into different categories, depending on the amount given; and the categories are named after Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney who founded Rotary in 1905. To become a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF), one must have contributed at least US$1,001 in a year. The next level is PHF+1, contributing at least US$2,001. A PHF+2 contributes US$3,001, and a PHF+3 US$4,001.

The club’s TRF Director, Immaculate Wanna, thanked the members for their contributions and beseeched to do better.

“Right now we are at 90% of members giving, but we aim at 100% and we shall get there,” she said. 

Earlier this year, 5 members of the club received their pins recognising them as PHFs. On Wednesday the 13 recognised ranged from PHF+1 to PHF+3.

Group photo of members of the Rotary Club of Lugogo-Mango Tree who were pinned on achieving PHF+1, PHF+2 and PHF+3 statuses on Wednesday night at the Shell Club Lugogo. (Courtesy photo)

These were: Ambrose Talisuna (PHF+1), Robert Okech (PHF+1), Edward Kayiso Golooba (PHF+1) and Edward Kasaato (PHF+1). PHF+2 were Robert Ssenozi, Francis Iwa, Dr David Ddamulira and Muhmed Ssegonga.

PHF+3 were Dr Peter G. Mwesige, Ronald Kasozi, Edward Akol, Francis Olul and Charter President Robert Nsereko.

The Guests of Honour, who also did the ‘pinning’, were PDG Mwanje, District TRF Fundraising Chair Catherine Baraza, District Governor Elect (PGE) Geoffrey Kitakule, and Past Assistant Governor (PAG) Eric Byenkya.

Chartered in 2017, RC Lugogo-Mango Tree meets every Wednesday at the Shell Club, Lugogo, at 6:30 pm.