RI President Ron Burton and his wife, Jetta, (second and third from right) at the Presidential New Generations Conference in Uganda.
What does it mean to Engage Rotary, Change Lives? For me, it means, in part, to share my love of Rotary as well as empower the next generation of Rotarians. I’m hoping I was able to do that when from 4 to 5 November I visited Kampala, Uganda, for the second Presidential New Generations Conference.
About 60 percent of Uganda’s population is below the age of 18. Their youth truly are their future. My wife, Jetta, and I, were joined by RI Director Holger Knaack and his wife, Susane. We heard how Rotaractors, Rotarians, and other volunteers concerned with creating a better future are working to save mothers and children, fight poverty, provide clean water, and support education. The event included speakers such as Rotaract representative Winfred Karungi from District 9211 and Rotaractor Brad Rulinda.
My visit wouldn’t have been the same without the hospitality I received. I thank District 9211 Governor Emmanuel Katongole and the other Rotarians for being such gracious hosts.
In conjunction with the conference, I went to the Kiwuliriza Primary School to hear local Rotary members talk about community service projects like teaching the benefits of hand washing, conducting screenings for cancer, and distributing mosquito nets.
While in Uganda, I also visited the advanced nursing program at Aga Khan University (AKU), one of our strategic partners. Together, Rotary and AKU fill the need for health sector reform in the East Africa region by supporting scholarships for students to study nursing and midwifery at AKU.
The next presidential conference is 15 March in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. I’m already looking forward to it! I hope I see some of you there.
Rotary Voices 
Good Evening! I am looking for an old friend from Sweden, Bo Westling. He is now living in Uganda and was very active in the Rotary Organisation. Ciao Pontus Gotell
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Nice to meet you dear Ron! Your profile video make me proud of being a Rotarian. Your message it is great, and by your words I can tell you have a lot of charisma.
Vanessa Villalobos
Club Rotario de San Jose, COSTA RICA
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I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR VISIT TO UGANADA PEARL OF AFRICA, I WAS REALLY INSPIRED WITH YOUR SPEECH MAY GOD BLESS YOU SO MUCH
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We were glad to have you and your Ann in Uganda. It was all very inspirational. Come back soon. Bernard (President, Rotaract Club of Kololo – Uganda)
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We loved every minute of your visit to Uganda. Please come again. Rotaractor Bernard, President of the Rotaract Club of Kololo – Uganda.
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thanks to the interact club for giving me such an opportunity, the speech was great and indeed i got motivated
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Yes I was there. I am a Ugandan who could not miss this rare occurrence. Well well well, it was great. He delivered a wonderful speech in his low and assertive tone. I even shook his hand…
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it was really a conference worth attending,
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