Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick completed the 1st leg of the “African Magic Tour 2025” Today
Today marked the bittersweet departure of RI President Stephanie from Uganda as she headed to Kenya as part of her Africa Magic Tour 2025. In the presence of RID Daniel Tanase and RIDN Emmanuel Katongole, she was seen off by HOC Chair PDG Ken Mugisha and team, Governors Anne Nkutu and Agnes Batengas of the two districts, and aides. A mix of sombre farewells, hugs and warm smiles preceded her departure to the airport.
RIDN Emmanuel Katongole and his family hosted a farewell event at their residence on Saturday evening, attended by various dignitaries, including the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Minister of Health, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Buganda Kingdom, the Head of USAID, Peace Fellows, and civic leaders from Uganda and across Africa. Rotarians and partners were challenged to raise more resources for community projects and to take even bolder steps after eliminating polio. “Eliminating malaria can be the next big challenge that Rotary can take on,” urged Rtn. Thomas Tayebwa.
The weekend also saw the RI President participating in a magical Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) event, where she reminded #RYLARIANS to take bold steps in adding value to themselves for the world ahead. She encouraged them to enhance their competencies in writing and public speaking, in addition to acquiring practical vocational skills and promoting the ethical use of ICT and AI across various domains.
This followed the 4th Rotary Africa Peace Concert on Friday. The concert raised $239,000 to support the Rotary Africa Peace Fund, which aids Africa’s only Rotary Peace Center at Makerere University. The center provides scholarships, postgraduate training, and peace interventions. During the President’s visit, the center graduated fellows of Cohort 7 and inaugurated a Passport Satellite Club, which includes several faculty members, such as the Vice Chancellor, as Rotarians.
In her final address to Uganda, President Stephanie expressed her joy at the tremendous growth of Rotary in Africa, exemplified by Uganda as a torchbearer. She thanked the past and present leadership of Rotary Zone 22 (Africa) for their stellar work and warm reception, while praising the Rotaractors and Rotarians of D9213 and D9214 for making her feel at home and proud to call them all “My Family of Rotary“. Drawing from her Polish/Slavic roots, she signed off with “Dovidzenya,” not as a goodbye but as a confident hope to return and meet everyone again!
President Stephanie is currently in Kenya, where the story continues…
Our special thanks to DPIC Peter Mwesige and his team, ARPICs and RPICs in Region 28 for a fantastic delivery.
ISSUED: 12 Jan. 2025
PDG Victor P.K. Mensah Communications and Media Coordinator, Rotary Zone 22 (Africa).
