The Rotary Club of Mbarara marked a historic milestone on Saturday, 7 March 2026, as it celebrated its 41st Charter Anniversary with a vibrant Charter Dinner held at the Children’s Peace Park (CPP) Rotary House in Kiyanja, Mbarara City. The evening was a powerful testament to four decades of dedicated community service, fellowship and transformative projects across western Uganda. The event, themed around growth, impact and legacy, brought together Rotarians, Rotaractors, dignitaries and well-wishers for an evening filled with celebration, recognition, and forward-looking vision. Presiding over the occasion as Guest of Honour was Rotary International Director Elect Emmanuel Katongole, a distinguished Rotarian whose leadership has inspired service allover.
Also in attendance was District Governor Christine Kyeyune Kawooya and several other senior district officials, whose presence underscored the strong support and unity within Rotary District 9214. The highlight of the evening was a series of meaningful ceremonies that embodied Rotary’s core values of fellowship, service, and leadership.
In a moving segment, deserving Rotarians were pinned as new Paul Harris Fellows in recognition of their outstanding contributions to The Rotary Foundation and humanitarian causes. The pinning ceremony celebrated their generosity and commitment, reinforcing the club’s tradition of honouring those who go above and beyond in advancing Rotary’s mission.
RIDE Emmanuel Katongole together with the District Governor inducted five new members into the Rotary family. The fresh inductees were warmly welcomed with the traditional Rotary charge, pins and certificates. Their induction symbolised the club’s continued expansion and the infusion of new energy and ideas into its ranks, ensuring that the spirit of “Service Above Self” remains vibrant for the next generation.
In one of the most anticipated moments of the night, RIDE Katongole officially commissioned the construction of a 400-seater Rotary Multipurpose Hall at the Rotary House complex. He also launched the renovation of the Rotary Children’s Peace Park. These landmark projects represent a major investment in infrastructure that will serve the community for years to come providing a modern venue for meetings, events and youth programmes while enhancing the beloved Children’s Peace Park, a long-standing symbol of Rotary’s commitment to peace and child welfare in Mbarara.
Speaking after the commissioning, RIDE Katongole reminded the gathering: “Rotary continues to grow, serve and create lasting impact in our communities.” His words captured the essence of the evening, reflection on 41 years of achievements paired with bold steps into the future. District Governor Christine Kyeyune Kawooya and the attending district officials congratulated the club on its remarkable journey and pledged continued support for its initiatives. The event also featured fellowship and a shared sense of pride among the hundreds of guests who filled the venue. As the Rotary Club of Mbarara enters its 42nd year, the 41st Charter Dinner stands as a beacon of resilience, generosity and vision. With new PHFs honoured, fresh members inducted and ambitious building projects now underway, the club is more determined than ever to tackle local challenges in health, education, environmental sustainability and peace-building.
The night ended on a high note, with Rotarians reaffirming their pledge to live by the Rotary motto “Service Above Self. The 41st Charter Anniversary will be remembered not just as a celebration of the past, but as a powerful launchpad for even greater impact in the years ahead.
