KAMPALA — Rotary International has selected District 9211 comprising Uganda and Tanzania to host the 2020 Rotary Zone 22 Institute that will take place from December 3rd to 5th at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Rotary Institute is an annual event for rotary leaders and those aspiring for leadership at different levels. At the same event, Rotarians also discuss rotary on the African continent devising ways how they can expand our reach.
The Convener of the institute, Past Rotary International Vice President Yinka Babalola formed a host committee which coordinated the planning of the Zone Institute that is going to be a hybrid of both physical and virtual attendance.
The committee is led by Co-Chair Emmanuel Katongole and Co-Chair Kenneth Mugisha. Delegates of Rotary International leaders from around the world travelled to Uganda this week to attend the Zone Institute.
While addressing the media today (Monday 30th ) at Speke apartments in Kampala, Yinka said their expectations are that all attendees will go back home with new ideas for their rotary clubs.
He explained that every rotary institute is attended by senior rotary leaders and this time round the President elect will attend.
“This institute is coming at a critical time and Covid-19 has had a lot of impact but in organization, our DNA is to connect but now with COVID-19 in the way, we can only connect through technology. I am sure our clubs have been doing this and conducting meetings online. This is the first virtual institute and it is an opportunity to showcase what Africa can do in technology,” he shared.
The convener also expressed his gratitude with what rotary is doing in Uganda. He says Rotarians kept on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 by providing upgraded sanitation facilities.
“Aside from Uganda being a beautiful country hence our choice of having them as the hosts, we are grateful to the Ugandan government because they granted all our guests visas upon arrival. Rotarians in Uganda are doing a good job as membership is growing exponentially,” he shared.
The purpose of the Zone Institute is to provide Rotary updates and training for District Leaders, Club Leaders, Emerging Leaders, Rotary Young Professionals, and Rotarians that wish to increase their knowledge and impact in Rotary.
Co-chair Emmanuel Katongole who also doubles as the chairman of the National COVID-19 task force said they are going to keep the Institute to 200 people only in a bid to observe the COVID SOPs.
“This is very important for the country because it is going to be the very first international meeting to be held here ever since the country went in lockdown. We are going to show how prepared our country is to keep people safe and show that despite Covid, we can still do business as usual adhering to the set guidelines,” he shared.
Co-chair Kenneth Mugisha also shared that it is not easy to be chosen as hosts and this comes as a big opportunity for Uganda.
“These people come with high spending power and they are going to leave a lot of money in our economy. Using our institute, we are going to re-affirm our commitments of making people’s lifestyles better.”
Rotary District 9211 Governor Ms Rosette Nabumba said that she is particularly pleased that the zone institute is going to be held here. She explained that Uganda was chosen because her district has some achievements to show.
“We have utilized 2billion USD from July 2019 to July 2020 to better lives. We hope these guests will enjoy the sights and sounds our country has to offer. I also urge them to get an opportunity to see where they can invest because Uganda is a ripe country for investment.”
The Institute will see many Innovations and Changes within its framework, all geared to making it an exciting experience for the delegates with top notch inspirational speakers.
Aside from training for roles, Rotarians attend Zone Institutes to build connections, expand their knowledge on rotary, exchange ideas about Rotary, expand knowledge and find solutions to problems and also finding inspiration for continuing service and leadership in communities.
