By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus-The Rotaract club of KIU meets every Monday but yesterday's fellowship was a historical one with at least seven of the Club's Past Presidents not only turning up but also taking charge of the whole one-hour session.

The session which began at 5 pm on Monday and was moderated by the club administrator, Maxwell Oliver rotated on the definition, benefits and success stories in Rotaract and Rotary at large. All the seven president’s emeritus excitedly shared their success stories and all of them concluded that joining Rotaract and Rotary is the best way to discover new opportunities, personal growth and enjoyment.

President Rose Mary Birungi (2015/2016), said that Rotaract helped her change the way she interpreted life.

"Rotaract simply made me what I am today. It made me a good leader and I got exposed to many people and lifestyles. Imagine sitting with the justice of the high court and chatting freely; that's the kind of life Rotary and Rotaract have exposed me to," she elaborated.

Birungi also assured rotaractors that Rotaract is the right place for them to develop professionally and in terms of leadership.

President Aminah Nassali, (2017/2018) also widely known as mission green president urged the young rotaractors to engage in projects and activities that encourage togetherness, and teamwork but also help promote the visibility of the club in the community.

"This will not only create fun but also keep members together," she said.

Her successor, Obed Atukunda (2018/2019) blamed the regimes that succeeded him for letting the club down in membership. He stressed that "the other problem affecting the club's membership could be revolving around the organization of different activities.

"For us in my regime, we would invite very prominent people. People like Governors, business champions, and senior lawyers like the chief justice. Students would turn up in big numbers because of that and the club used to be very popular. I know you can also make it. Do something that will attract students," Atukunda explained.

Past President Evelyn Lumonya (2019/2019 was tasked to answer the questions surrounding the Rotaract Club of KIU's short-lived termination at the beginning of her term of office in 2019. She calmly said that that was one of the main reasons for the club's downfall which did not need another blow by the unpopular Covid-19.

"I took over power when I had big dreams but the news that my club had been terminated due to failure to fulfil some of the district requirements, sort of discouraged me though we also had many of our members graduate and leave KIU," she said.

The Rotaract club of KIU was rechartered in 2019 few months before the outbreak of Covid-19 which added more salt to the injury. Since the reopening of learning institutions and the economy, the club under change-maker president Daniel Sirwano has been on a revival mission.

Monday's fellowship was also graced by presidents of the Rotaract Club of Muyenga and Kabalagala respectively as well as other guests and Alumni.