Rotary handsover the Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Center at Nsambya

By Rtn. Hannington Sebuliba
The struggle for construction of a cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital that started four years ago, has almost come to an end after the building was officially handed over to the administration of St. Raphael of St. Francis' Hospital Nsambya. 

The Rotary- Centenary Bank Cancer Centre in Nsambya Hospital

The colourful ceremony was attended by rotarians, hospital staff and partners in this project.

PDG Stephen Mwanje giving a brief history of the Rotary Cancer Ward in Nsambya Hospital, said  "Many of you may not know that it was born from a breakfast in 2010. It was a a CEO breakfast".

He went on to say  "We met in Bbajjo at PDG Emmanuel Katongole's home to see how we can tackle cancer issue. I made phone calls to Rotarians to see how we move foward. All I shared with them was a dream and they said they would be with me till the end."
We requested Nsambya Hospitsl to give us land for the cancer ward. I thank Dr. Martin Nsubuga who gave us the land.

PDG Stephen Mwanje addresses guests during the handover

The person I identified to help us was our Guest of honour Fabian Kasi because he had just been made a CEO of Centenary Bank. We signed an MOU within two weeks.

He thanked Sarah Odong who accepted to be a project manager. He also thanked the Rotary Cancer Board members.

Cancer run was a fundraising vehicle to collect funds for the cancer ward. We statrted in 2012 and in 2013 we approached Pepsi and they became supporters of the Cancer run.

We thank people who nurtured this dream to a reality. Cancer is one of the biggest killers in this country.
36 cancer bed centre which we want to be a centre of excellence in the region. We are now going to request for equipment. In yhe next five years we want to have four others centres in the regions.

The proceeds of this years cancer run will be dedicated to completion of the blood bank in Mengo Hospital.

Inside the building

Inside the Cancer Centre

The CEO of Crown Beverages Mr. Stephen Lugoloobi thanked Rotary for giving pepsia chance to participate in the Rotary Cancer project.

Pepsi has done this in line with its corporate social responsibility. He thanked PDG Stephen for the invitation to serve in constructing this cancer centre. He pledged to partner with Rotary in the Rotary Blood Bank

The Managing Director of  Dr. Martin Nsubuga pledged to look after the ward and to ensure that they work on treatment of cancer. He said that they are gpoing to be dedicated to health educate, screen and treat cancer. He went on to say that the design is a ward of inpatients but they were discussing with Rotary to see how they can create an outpatient unit for cancer patients.

"we have got good offers from foreign Rotary Clubs and what they want is us looking for transport." he said.

We have spoken to local partners here and they are willing to offer us equipments for the cancer centre. We appreciate Rotary and the corporates for this work.

Talking about taking a risk to commit bank money to Rotary, the guest of honour, Rtn. Fabian Kasi, the CEO of Centenary Bank said "I told PDG Stephen Mwanje that I would contact the board but since he had already met the Chairman of the Board, he had already soften his heart. His work made my job easier."

Centenary serves a quarter of the people in Uganda. Significance is attained by how much is given. This is going to be a lasting symbol of thoughtfulness. We shall continue participating in this noble cause.

The brains behind the Rotary - Centenary Bank Cancer Centre

Centenary Bank MD- Fabian Kasi

We thank millions of people who have participated in this cause. 
Just as we have worked closely to complete the building we at centenary bank.will work with you to equip this cancer centre. He thanked Crown Beverages for supporting the fight against cancer plus the media fraternity.

He said that a Health community makes health customers. Cerudeb will continue to make contributions to fighting over cancer.

On behalf of the managing Board of Nsambya Hospital, Dr. Lawrence Kaggwa thanked Rotary for extending that kindness to the hospital and pledged to ensure that all the facilities will be used effectively to treat cancer patients.

AG Peace give a talk on Being a gift to the World at Rotary Club of Kampala West

AG Peace on Be  a Gift to the World

This afternoon, our own AG Peace Taremwa has given a  talk about this year's theme "Be a gift to the world"  to Rotary Club of Kampala West at Shangai Hotel.
He started by posing a question to members present. How much have you contributed to Polio, visited projects, contributed to Rotary Foundation? He said that  if you haven't given, then you are a different gift.

He went on to say that If you haven't given to RF it means you haven't been a gift. "I request you to give to the Rotary Foundation" he said.

He went on to ask another question. How much time are you giving to Rotary? some people only come to Rotary meeting when they have an appointment in town. When you give us your time you will be a gift to the world.

AG Peace on Be  a Gift to the World at Kampala West

He asked rotarians to be people who offer thei talents to others. "You should also use your talent to give to the world like Rtn. Hannington has done by playing the song here." he said.

Don't you have really anything you can give to this world? He asked  and went on to list the kind of  gifts one  can give to this world.
1. AG Bob gave us tags and ties
2. In Kajjansi we have a gift exchange. whenever you give a gift, we unwrap it and everybody sees it. We have gone to a level where you give gifts that you want to receive.
3. At least pay a dollar for Polio plus.
Each one of us has an opportunity to be a leader. Our RI President took time to choose this theme and putting in a lot of resources.
Let us use our professions to be a gift to our clubs.

Rtn. Hannington Playing the Keyboard at Kampala West

Prior to his talk, he asked Rtn. Hannington to play a song be agift to the world, which gave a basis to his talk.