The Leadership of Entebbe Lions Club has installed Dr. Edwin Niwagaba as it’s new president and will steer the club for a term of one year.
He was installed as new president over the weekend at colorful ceremony organized at the Eco Resort Hotel in Kasenyi, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso district.
The colorful ceremony was presided over by Entebbe District Governor Mr.Benon Kataate.
Dr.Niwagaba, a specialist in eye care replaces Dr. Stanley Mubikire and his maiden speech, Dr. Niwagaba told fellow lions that he accepts the responsibility with his full heart and appreciated his predecessor Dr. Stanley Mubikire his leadership.
President elect Dr Edwin-Niwagaba with his family
” First of all, I appreciate my family because they are a source of inspiration to me and that is why I wake up every day to go and work.
Secondly, I appreciate our past Governor Dr. Stanley Mubikire whom I admire and has added a block on me by mentoring and advising me on how to lead and inspire others, “Dr.Niwagaba who roared like a lion expressed his appreciation.
Dr. Niwagaba noted that last year Entebbe Lions Club faced some challenges including sicknesses, no growth and few service activities.
He , however says in his term in office all these challenges will be no more.
” Some of our lions including my predecessor Dr.Stanley Mubikire are sick and bedridden.
Throughout last year the club has had no growth at all with few service activities.
‘ Nelson Mandela one time said the beauty of living lies not any falling but rising up anytime.
Therefore, we should not focus much on the challenges that let us down but we should be able to forge a way and move forward, ” Dr. Niwagaba stated.
‘ I have a personal moto which says “winners never quit but quitters never win.” So, this coming lionistic year we are going to focus on five areas including youth empowerment, eye care, cancer awareness, and catering for humanitarian needs.
Service without resources is like rain without water. We should be rains that rain water, ” Dr. Niwagaba pledged to change things at the Lions Club.
Dr. Niwagaba continued: ” My priority is to strengthen the club and every Lion club will have a Sacco so that when we are in financial need , the Sacco can be able to push us.
It’s against this backdrop that I encourage members to join Saccos and participate actively.
We shall shall lobby from corporate organizations like Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and hotels among others .
‘ Growing will be our pride and we shall recruit new Lions from key institutions.
We shall explore all the available avenues to recruit new members so that we grow the club.
‘ We shall re-energize Leo clubs one in Entebbe secondary school and another at Divine Ethics Institution but we need more Leo clubs because are not enough.
‘ We shall care for our own. Lions serve best when they are emotionally and socially suported – we have sick lions and we shall develop a culture of visiting them. We need to move together and we care for our own before we serve others, ” Dr. Niwagaba pledged to care for bedridden club members.
‘ We shall spice up our fellowships and to achieve this, we need to collaborate with fellow Rotarians .We have committees which I work with.
‘ We shall submit workplan and they have clear timeline and everything has to be endorsed and reported to the board .
Even if you are doing something on your own – you must have approval from the board.
‘ In conclusion, we shall serve with a structure, grow with the heart and roar with a purpose , “Dr. Niwagaba pledged to serve.”
The Entebbe District Governor Mr. Benon Kataate, who presided over the installation ceremony, urged President elect Dr.Edwin Niwagaba to plan for sucess and reminded him that at the end of his term in office he will have to account for his actions .
” Plan for your sucess because if you don’t plan, then plan to fail which is not good. Build on what your predecessors have built to the Lions Club.
Do it so that the club shines and gives credit to members as well as to Entebbe Community.
” You will preside over regular and social meetings to your club and in the event you are absent , ensure your vice president is empowered to do the task.
‘ Appoint standing and social committees to ensure you work for your sucess. Also work as an active member of the District Governor Advisory committee together with your secretary .
” Attend all meetings , find solution to problems and also recommend what you think can work better for you.
‘ Importantly, we want membership to grow for this club from different dimensions that is age, sex , life style so that we have different people. Our strength is our diversity, ” Governor Kataate stressed.
‘ Touch People’s lives either directly or indirectly through donations among other things. Ensure visibility of the club through physical signposts, shelter and continue with your good role of welcoming people to Entebbe.”
In his concluding remarks, District Governor Mr .Benon Kataate tasked Dr. Edwin Niwagaba to assure fellow members on whether he would perform his duties to the best of his ability which he did by roaring like a lion.
Meanwhile, besides installing Dr.Edwin Niwagaba as the president of Entebbe Lions Club, other members were appointed to the Lions Club and they include Col.Nathan Begumisa( 1st Vice president), Ms. Hawa Nsangi( 2nd Vice president), Ms.Rebecca Arinaitwe (Secretary), Ms. Racheal Ssetuba( treasurer) and Mr. Jackson Rwakishaija(Chairperson) among others.
(By PEACOCK KAWEESA & Agencies)
