Rotarians seek over sh170m to complete Luuka maternity ward

____________

The Rotary Club of Natete-Kampala has launched a fundraising drive to complete the construction of a maternity ward at Busiro Health Centre in Luuka district.

Speaking during his installation as the new club president on June 8, 2025, at Ivy’s Gardens in Natete, James Nsubuga Musoke revealed that the maternity ward project had begun under the leadership of his predecessor, Florence Bulya. However, construction remained incomplete by the time her term ended.

“As the new president of the club, my emphasis will be mainly centred on completing the maternity ward in Luuka district. We estimate that completing the ward will cost us around sh170m,” Nsubuga said.

He noted that once the structure is completed, the club will also need to equip the ward with beds and mother-and-child healthcare equipment.

Nsubuga urged club members to support him in his efforts, adding that with their continued backing, the club can achieve great things together.

Florence Bulya the immediate past president of the rotary club of Natete-Kampala remarking during the installation of the new club president at Ivy's garden in Natete. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

Immediate past president Florence Bulya reflected on her year in office, describing it as one of “serious service and renewed commitment,” during which the club achieved several notable milestones that improved lives and strengthened communities.

Bulya explained that when she took office, her signature project was to construct the foundation for the maternity ward—a target they achieved within just one month.

“In just one month, we managed to construct the foundation of the maternity ward. During a club fashion show to raise funds, we came up with an idea and asked ourselves, why can’t we build on what we have already started? As I speak now, we have reached the ring beam and are now left with completing the project,” she said.

In addition to the maternity ward, Bulya noted that the club also constructed and equipped a library at Namaato Primary School and celebrated festival days with disabled children at the L’Arche Home in Busega, among other initiatives.

Past District Governor, Francisco Ssemwanga, remarking during the installation of new club president of Natete-Kampala. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

Past district governor Francisco Ssemwanga commended Bulya for her leadership and praised the club for its accomplishments, including its growth in membership.

“The club has inducted 11 new members. Membership is Rotary’s number one internal priority because you cannot do anything without members. We cannot support the Rotary Foundation or carry out service projects without membership,” he said.

Ssemwanga also encouraged the new club president and other Rotary clubs in Uganda to continue growing their membership base.

“I want to implore you as the club president, as you take on this mantle of leadership, let us grow our clubs. We have a dream of redistricting Uganda. We want to have about four districts in Uganda in the next two years,” he said, adding that Uganda currently has Districts 9213 and 9214, and redistricting can only be achieved by increasing membership.