On July 1, 2025, Rotary District 9214, which encompasses regions of Uganda and all of Tanzania, embarked on its new Rotary year. The occasion was marked by the official installation of Rtn. Christine Kyeyune Kawooya as District Governor for the 2025-26 term, alongside Rtr. Alebar Kanyonza, who assumed the role of District Rotaract Representative.
This new chapter of service will unfold under Rotary International’s guiding message for 2025-26, “Unite for Good.” Governor Kawooya has further articulated a district-specific tagline, “Together, One at a Time,” a principle intended to foster unity in service and amplify collective impact across all Rotary and Rotaract clubs within the district.
In her inaugural address, Governor Kawooya brought into sharp focus the urgent health challenges confronting the communities within the district. She highlighted the critical strain on Uganda’s largest neonatal intensive care unit, where the severe shortage of medical equipment necessitates that "three babies are sharing one incubator.
" The Governor also underscored the vital importance of medical oxygen, describing it as a "lifesaving, essential medicine" that is frequently unavailable in many hospitals. To directly confront these issues and to significantly reduce neonatal and maternal mortality rates, District 9214 has committed to a series of strategic interventions.
These include the installation of uninterrupted oxygen generation plants and incubators in key referral hospitals, alongside comprehensive training programs for health workers specializing in emergency maternity and newborn care. A significant new initiative, "Start With Her," was also announced.
This program aims to establish safe homes where teenage mothers and their babies can reside, providing them with essential life-skills training and counseling, thereby supporting these young mothers in rebuilding their lives and facilitating their return to educational pursuits.
The district's agenda for 2025-26 is defined by two primary areas of focus. In Maternal and Child Health, efforts will concentrate on providing reliable medical oxygen systems and neonatal incubators to hospitals, crucial steps in preventing infant deaths.
Complementing this, the "Start With Her" homes will offer a supportive environment for teenage mothers, equipping them with the necessary training and assistance. Concurrently, under Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), District 9214 plans extensive facility upgrades, involving the construction and rehabilitation of clean water sources, latrines, and handwashing stations in health centers and communities.
These improvements are designed to enhance sanitation standards and mitigate the spread of disease. Furthermore, the newly established Rotary WASH Institute at Nkumba University, launched in January 2025, will be leveraged to train local leaders and stimulate innovation in sustainable water and sanitation solutions.
To formally inaugurate this new Rotary year, District 9214 will host a grand launch and mega fellowship event on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. This significant gathering will take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo and will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Muyenga.
The event is designed to bring together Rotarians, Rotaractors, partners, and various stakeholders from across the district, providing an opportunity to celebrate the commencement of a new chapter dedicated to service and impactful community engagement.
Governor Kawooya concluded her address with a compelling call to action, urging all clubs, individual members, and partners to unite in support of these ambitious goals. She reiterated that through collaborative efforts, working "together, one at a time," Rotarians and Rotaractors possess the capacity to significantly enhance their impact on community health and overall development.
Rotary District 9214 extends an open invitation to media organizations, donors, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies to join them in this new year of dedicated service, united for good and steadfastly guided by the district motto, “Together, One at a Time.”