JJONGOZA RCC ELECTIONS AND  HANDOVER

By PAG Charles Kulibanza Byanyima

The Jjongoza RCC was Chartered in 2008.The main architect behind its formation was Rtn Dr  Rev  Fr Aloysius  Lwanga Bukenya. The maiden and first Chairperson of the RCC was Mrs Specioza Lusiba popularly known as “SENGA”.

Since that time other two persons have held the office of Chair Person namely Mr James Mulindwa and Mrs Prossy Bbale.The first Coordinator of the RCC was Rtn Fr Aloysius Bukenya,who was subsequently succeeded by Rtn  Charles Kulibanza Byanyima who still plays that role to this date.

Every year, just like the  norms and ideals of Rotary , the RCC is expected to change leadership and its view of this requirement that three Rotarians travelled on 10th July 2013 to Jjongoza to supervise the elections.The three Rotarians are: Rtn Ismael Mukasa-Director Projects (who had to break his fast in order to drive the team to Jjongoza),Rtn AG Charles Karoli Baganja(Past RCC Chair –Uganda) and Rtn PAG DT Charles Kulibabnza Byanyima, the Coordinator and Team Leader.

The team joined Rtn Dr Fr Aloysuis Lwanga Bukenya from RC Karen D9212, who had been in Jjongoza some days earlier  to prepare the Community and help them reconcile socially for the betterment of the RCC.

The team, on arrival, was treated to the  ever enchanting Jjongoza hospitality of music ,dance and drama despite the hot and dusty day.

After observing the normal Rotary protocols ( which included the singing of “Ekitiibwa Kya’Buganda” and the best singer being recognized as PAG Charles!) the team explained to the RCC Members ,the purpose of the visit, which was the holding of elections and the hand over of offices.

The RCC Members were taken through the Guidelines of RCC and the following Broad topics were covered:
i. Purpose and Goals
ii. Sponsorship
iii. Membership
iv. Meetings
v. Leadership
vi. Activities and Projects
vii. Committees
viii. Leadership
ix. Fees and Dues

Prior to holding the elections the following were agreed on by all the members:
- To have a secret ballot for all positions.
- Have a maximum of 3 Nominations for each post
-Candidates briefly talk about themselves
-Votes be counted ,tallied and the Winner be instantly declared
-The Candidate with the simple majority of the cast votes would be declared winner
-Winner congratulates the Losers
Prior to the Election Exercise, all voting members were verified and ascertained to be eligible to vote. ie they were all good members in good standing. The total voters were 44.
The elections were conducted in a free , fair and level environment and the following were elected:
1. Chairperson : Kalyango Agnes Namwanga
2. Vice Chairperson:Bagonza Aloysius
3. Secretary: Lwanga Felix
4. Treasurer : Namagembe Resty
5. Projects : Bbale Joseph
6. Membership : Nayiga Polly Bbale
7. Publicity: Kivumbi Fred
The Coordinator will be elected from among the above Executive Committee when they hold the first  meeting.

The following Committees were also constituted:
1. Finance Committee to be headed by the Treasurer, Namagembe Resty
2. Projects Committee to be headed by Joseph Bbale
3. Membership Committee to be headed by Nayiga Polly Bbale
4. Publicity Committee to be headed by Kivumbi Fred.

The outgoing Chairperson,Nayiga Polly Bbale read her handover speech and presented to team hard copies for the Club files. She highlighted the need for respect among each other, respect of authority and making  friends beyong Jjongoza.She,among others, pointed out that during   her tenure of office  the membership had increased by 20 members. The handover of documents/files  between the Old and New Executive  will take place at the first meeting of the New Executive.

The  New Executive were given a pep  talk on Leadership and how they are expected to lead their fellow members. The Charter Certificate of the RCC was formally handover to the New Chairperson.
On the return journey the team used the time to reflect on  the visit and noted the following:
-RCC needs our presence  as stipulated in the RCC/RI Guide lines that is at least once a month
-Supervision to ensure that the RCC operates as is expected is important
-Cliquism though minimized can still crop back
-As per RCC Guide Lines,Fr Bukenya needs to formally request the RC Kajjansi to own and supervise the Springs of Peace Project that is worth USD 20,000
-The hospitality exhibited by the RCC could be of financial strain  in the future.

The team retuned back to base at Dreams Guest House to catch the  second half of an interesting fellowship.They were adequately recognized and rewared with  a drink by the President