100th Rotary district conference kicks off in Jinja

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The Rotary International District 9213 100th District Conference officially kicked off today (April 10, 2025) at the Civil Service College of Uganda in Jinja City.

By 8:00am, over 1200 delegates had arrived at the venue to attend the Rotary District conference.

The opening ceremony was graced by Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs Rebecca Alitwala Kagada.

Students of Busoga College Mwiri ‘The School’ led the delegates in singing the Uganda, Ghana, East Africa, Busoga and Rotary anthems.  

In her opening remarks, Kadaga expressed gratitude to Rotarians for serving above self as their motto says.

She also urged the delegates to visit various tourist attraction sites in Jinja starting with the Source of the Nile among others.

Kadaga further expressed gratitude to all Rotarians who attended the District Conference and hailed Rotary International for its selfless humanitarian services in various communities in the world.

Ann Nkuutu, the District Governor of Rotary District 9213, said they opted for Jinja as the host city because of the Source of the Nile and to see as Rotarians what they can do to promote and protect the environment starting with the River Nile.

“We chose Jinja for other reasons as well, as I stand here as Governor, it's important to remember other people on whose shoulders we stand—we know that the first black District Governor for the districts that came before us, but certainly for Uganda was none other than Fan Ntende. He was followed by RIPE Sam Owori, Henry Kyemba (RIP), Tusu Tusubira, Chris Mutalya and now currently myself Ann Nkuutu and the incoming one is also from the Eastern region,” Nkuutu said.

She said that Eastern Uganda has played a very instrumental role in shaping Rotary in Uganda.

“And so as we celebrate 100 years, it was only right and fitting to come to Eastern Uganda, the land of wise men and now wise women as well—so that we could celebrate the conference and I am sure that at the end of the conference we will have gathered some wisdom from the people of the East so that we can go on and strengthen Rotary in Uganda and across the world,” District Governor Nkuutu stated.

His Highness Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi (right) also known as The Green Sheikh handing over a gift to Rotary District Governor Ann Nkuutu (left) while at the 100th Rotary District conference at Civil Service College of Uganda in Jinja City on April 10, 2025.

She acknowledged the presence of the Rotary International President’s Personal Representative PDG David Osei Amankwah, Rotary International Director Nominee Emmanuel Katongole, RIPE Sam Owori, various Past District Governors, Managing Director of Centenary Bank Dr. Fabian Kasi, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire among others.  

In his remarks, His Highness Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi also known as ‘The Green Sheikh’ urged Rotarians to uphold the legacy of their family generations.

“You must transform a generational legacy like my late father did and now I am here transforming lives of many orphans—you must live by example and when you are on stage, do not talk about yourself, talk about your people in communities, your family, your sons and daughters,” Sheikh Nuaimi said adding that they have to share compassion and love.

Sheikh Nuaimi further told delegates that they have left behind legacies of giving, support and continue offering services to the people in their various communities they live in.

He also urged delegates to be change agents in their countries and the world at large, adding that if they change one person particularly an orphan, they can change the world.
 
“Be a game changer with these three core values—in order to change the world, lead by example, promote advocacy by being the voice of the voiceless and promote stewardship,” Sheikh Nuaimi advised.

Rotary International President’s Personal Representative PDG David Osei Amankwah from Ghana said, despite him coming from the centre of the world (Ghana), Uganda is indeed the Pearl of Africa, adding that he enjoyed his Nile Special beer at the Source of River Nile on April 9, 2025.

He reminded Rotarians that their mission is simple, to empower individuals to help various communities and societies to reach their goals.

“As Rotarians we must be the change that we wish to see—Mahatma Gandhi said, be the change you wish to see in the world and today we must ask ourselves and we must all join to be in that change,” Amankwah said, adding that through their service as Rotarians, they will definitely achieve even more.

Amankwah said that through their service as Rotarians, they will inspire, empower and equip individuals, families and communities to bring positive change in their lives.

Later, Sheikh Nuaimi exchanged gifts with District Governor Ann Nkuutu and Rotary International President’s Personal Representative PDG David Osei Amankwah.

Delegates also visited Kiira Motors at Mutai village in Jinja City where they also had lunch.