Dinning for a Cause!

On October 8, 2009, all roads led to Hotel Africana for a fundraising dinner to support health activities for the Lionistic year 2009/2010. Lions and their guests had to endure a heavy down-pour coupled with heavy traffic jam but in the end many of us made it to the hotel in time for the occasion.



(Left; some of the Lions and guests at the dinner)

The chief guest, Hon. Jim Muhwezi Katugugu also arrived in time and the function was started as scheduled.
The Club President, Lion Dr. Cillasy Tumwesigye, in his opening remarks, thanked members for their untiring support to the cause of serving humanity and encouraged them to always give their best to this cause. He also thanked guests for responding to our invitation and asked them to join lionism and support its activities of serving the needy of our society.




(Club President, Lion Dr. Cillasy Tumwesigye welcomes lions and guests to the function as the Chief guest and other dignatories look on)


The chief Guest (a Rotarian), thanked Lions for what they have done in the service of the needy. He said that the many projects started and supported by the Lions in Uganda had helped raise the standard of living for many people and encouraged every one to always give in support of these activities. On his part, he contributed UG Shs 1million in support of this year’s health activities. He also helped raise another Uganda Shillings Seven Hundred Thousand by auctioning a Lion Sculpture which was bought by Lion Engineer Dans Naturinda; the club Secretary.




(Lion Eng. Dans receives an item he bought during the auction)
The occasion was also graced with the presence of Lion PDG Hon. Shem Bageine who contributed half a million shillings in support of this cause. Also in attendance was the region chairman, Lion Robert Munanura and his spouse and they contributed Shillings two hundred thousand. Other Lions and guests also contributed generously. We thank all members and guests who braved the harsh conditions of that evening to come and support the cause of helping the needy. In a special way, we would like to acknowledge the support from our sister clubs especially the Lions club of Kampala host and the Lions club of Kampala city.
The function was punctuated with interesting jokes from Lions and guests and the Chief Guest could not be left behind on this, he hilariously told the guests a high school joke which left everybody busting in laughter. So next time make sure you attend because you don’t want to miss as a General tells a joke!
The function was crowned with a sumptuous dinner and at the end of it, as advised by a renowned nutritionist, it was time to dance and Lions and guests could not disappoint on this. We danced till late.





(The chief guest is joined by our club president and other lions to dance in celebration of a job well done)









The health committee thanks every one who made this activity a success. We are greateful for your support.

Harvesting the fruits of Hardwork!

I don't know what to call this, but as far as i can remember, my hands almost turned red because of clapping. Lost?? ok! read the headline again!

Well, let me help you, during the convention, as the Governor gave awards in appreciation of hard work and dedication to serving the less fortunate, Lions club of Kampala central had a tremendous 'harvest' and we could not help but clap endlessly.............now you know why my hands almost turned red! Yes, the club received awards in the following categories;

Best sight conservation program in Uganda,

Highest number of Melvin Jones Fellows for a club in Uganda,

Best District activity of the club in Uganda- (Medical Camps),

Best E-Newsletter/ Bulletin,

Best Club President In Uganda,

Best club Secretary in Uganda; And to crown it all the club was overall third best in the parade, tell me that's not a great acheivement!!

Above, Lion Mercy(Club President) receives the trophy for Best club President In Uganda

Above, Lion Mercy and Lion Dr. Tumwesigye receive a trophy for best Sight Conservation Program.

Above, Lion Mercy and Lion Dans receive the Trophy for best District Activity of the Club- Medical Camps

The club is supported by it's members and when an individual member receives an award, we celebrate together and in that regard the following members received District governor's award in recognition of their dedication to service;

Lion Hon Shem Bageine, IPDG,

Lion Venie Tinkumanya,

Lion John Bosco Ntangaare,

Lion Florence Tinkumanya,

Lion Kenneth Kintu,

Lion Gervase Ndyanabo,

Lion Anaclet Turyakira,

Lion Eleanor Bageine.

IPDG, Lion Hon. Shem Bageine receives an appreciation award from Gorvornor Majid Khan for his dedication to service.

As a club we salute each and everyone who made this possible. The president and Her cabinet could not have acheived all that alone so the members' support and dedication was paramount.

Let not the acheivements of yesterday blind us from the reality ahead. Let us continue to work tirelessly to support those who need us most..........those who cannot support themselves.

A convention to remember!!

Come with me as i take you through what in my opinion is an unforgettable experience during the 6th MD 411 convention at the Leisure Lodge Resort hotel in Mombasa.

It is the 29th of April, all the members are ready and set for the journey. Some have boarded the plane and others including myself are at the bus station to take the bus for what seems to be an impossible journey.

(Above, some of the lions in a group photo)

(Above, Some of the dignatories during the convention)

Well, you've seen bikers in movies and most recently, road troopers on Ugandan roads but believe me this was nothing like those............... this was a lionistic road trip because 95% of the passengers on the bus were lions from Kampala and Entebbe clubs and it was an exciting journey as you'll find out as we go on.

The journey begun with an invocation (a lionistic ritual). The driver has quickly manoeuvred through the mid-morning traffic jam and within no time we're passed mukono towards Jinja.

Stop over number one: Namawojoro. If you have travelled the eastern route, then you probably know what this place is famous for; roasted chicken, and yes! these are lions and be sure the driver had to heed to their requests for a stop to grab a chicken wing/thigh for the start.

Fast forward; we have reached Busia border post. We quickly rush through the clearances and cross over to Kenya where swahili is the language and i quickly get my first light moment of the day........I've overheard a bargain between one of our members and a Kenyan seller and it goes this way;

Our lion: Sasa "amazi" ni ngapi?

Kenyan seller: Fifty "bob"!

Our Lion: "Atte kati" fifty bob is what?

Kenya seller: Fifty Kenyan Shillings boss!!

Ok! save your ribs for what is ahead. The lion gets his phone makes some quick calculations but to him it's quite expensive only that he has to buy it anyway. he grumbles to himself a he enters the bus........" Baano ebintu byabwe nga babisela nyo"........( literary meaning "these guys are too expensive")

Soon everybody is on the bus again and we are in traversing the Kenyattaland. The sun is setting and most people have already dozed off.

Time check: 10:"something" and we're in Nakuru having dinner and for some of us who are mad about football, we're already looking around to see if we could get a TV screen with ManU vs Arsenal game but to our disappointment we do not find any and after dinner we all get back onto the bus but to our relief the car radio has a live commentary and i personally enjoy as ManU beats Arsenal in the first leg; enough of football!!!

It's past mid-night and we are in Nairobi. We stretch abit, get back onto the bus as we head southwards to Mombasa. The journey from Nairobi to Mombasa was basically a sleepy one as everybody took a nap. Though i kept waking up so often.....because of my snoopy habits! i could not capture any exciting news though, save for a few snoring heads..........don't ask me who?

Time check: 7:"something" a.m of 30th April and we're entering the great coastal city of Mombasa. It's a few minutes to 8:00 a.m and we're at the bus station. We first book our return tickets, the the driver from the convention venue arrives and we board the bus to the south coast.

Wonder no. 1: We're at the ferry and for most of us who had never seen one, we pull out our cameras to take snaps and capture the nice view of Mombasa port.

The journey to the hotel takes longer than we expected.........i guess because of the fatigue but we arrive shortly before ten and unite with the other members who travelled by air. We quickly go through registration and accommodation issues before heading for a brief meeting!

We're now in Mombasa and the sea is marvelously spread before us and the breeze and the view are indeed breath-taking. It's soon approaching lunch time and we're headed for lunch. It's sumptuous and we all enjoy ourselves.

Fast-forward..........It's Friday and we're deeply engrossed in the campaigns but at the end of the day, we're second best. We congratulate ourselves, put our heads high for providing an alternative point of view...........that's what competition is all about!!

The evening has come and we sit down by the pool side to recollect on our achievements. It's dinner time; your guess is as good as mine! We quickly dash to our hotel rooms to dress for the occasion and if you know the glamour at such a dinner , then you do not need to be told how smart we were!

(Above, Lion Venie Campaigning for the First Vice Governorship)

It's Saturday and we are elegantly dressed for the parade and with the smooth voices we sing as we match............(this is a secret........Lion Eleanor Bageine has a very smooth voice and i think she could win a "Grammy".....Shhhhhhh!!!!!). Our smartness finally pays off and we are rewarded with third best position in the Parade........Big applause to the Convention committee for choosing a good attire.

The day has moved so fast and it's already evening and we're headed for the Pirates dinner. the dress code is fascinating as we all try to look like the pirates. As usual, the dinner was sumptuous and if you don't think so, ask some of the lions who tasted the lobster, you Will get very serious testimonies.

As we wind up the day and the convention at large, the music is in good rhythm and non of us was left seated as we shook our bones while enjoying the sea breeze.

It's sunday morning and the buses are already roaring and those departing by air are busy checking in at the airport. The convention has come to an end but the memories of what we experienced and everything we enjoyed will stay with us forever. We quickly head northwards to cross the ferry and return to our motherland.

A big thank you to the organisers of the convention and all those who made it possible. The hospitality we experienced will live with us forever and be rest assured that next time there is another convention in Mombasa, i'll be the first to register.

Lions forever!

We Serve.

VERY MANY THANKS!!

Welcome back to all those who travelled to mombasa. I know very well that it was a journey and convention to remember for most of us. 

However, i would like to dedicate this 'piece' in thanking those clubs and individuals who supported us and Lion Venie Tinkumanya's candidature for the post of first Vice District Governor 411B.

I know we did not succeed but that's what Lionism is all about; providing alternatives to enhance better service delivery for the benefit of the less fortunate.

Very many thanks also go to Lion Venie who offered himself. For those that listened to you, your speech was full of what a true lion should stand for and what we ought to do for the betterment of lionism and the society in general. We hope the new leadership will alongside their agenda pick a leaf from you and incorporate some of your principles in order to take our district 411B to greater heights.

Lastly, i would like to congatulate the successful candidates and on behalf of the entire club pledge our support for the greater development of our District.

We serve. 

A SYMBOL OF COMMITMENT TO SERVICE

Presenting to you a symbol of commitment to Service!

(Above, Lion Venie and other Lions in a group photo after the Medical camp in Isingiro)

In a society riddled with self enrichment and individual considerations, it has become increasingly difficult to find  leaders who are up to the task of the service of men. As Lions, we strive to bridge this gap by showing our commitment to service of fellow beings especially the less fortunate than ourselves.

Our beloved District has been fortunate to have good leaders and to continue the trend, we deserve a leader whose commitment to service is undoubted, a leader whose ethical, moral and professional standards have stood the test of time and above all; a leader whose leadership qualities are the envy of multitudes.

Fellow Lions, Leos and Guests, I have the pleasure of introducing Lion Venie Tinkumanya for the post of First Vice District Governor for the Lionistic year 2009/2010.

As a Lion leader, Lion Venie has gained vast experience and exposure which i believe the District can tap into for the benefit of the people we serve. 

His commitment to service and his love for high ethical and professional standards is what our beloved District needs. 

Let us join hands and support the cause of good leadership for the benefit of the less fortunate than us.

We serve.

YES, WE DID IT AGAIN!!

Welcome back my "favourite bunch", the untiring Lions! If i was good at forming theories i would have by now formulated a theory based on the "satisfaction derived from serving a lesser fortunate being than you", but as for now, i can only tell you that it's amazingly satisfying.

Don't know what i am talking about yet! relax! 

The days 27th February to 1st March 2009 will remain memorable in the lives of both the people of Isingiro and the untiring lions who serve without reservations. The Medical camp begun with a visit to Ngarama Secondary school and Ngarama girls' Secondary school where sanitary pads were distributed to over 300 girls in both schools.

In the Photo above, Lion Mercy talks to girls of Ngarama Secondary school as lions look on.

It's Saturday morning of the 28th of February and the crowd has already gathered even when the medical team hasn't fully prepared! Your guess is as good as mine.............., people suffer silently and are in great need of help. As the team assembles there mobile laboratories and clinics, the ques outside are uncontrollable because everyone wants to be attended to. People have come to seek attention for different ailments; malaria, HIV testing, coughs, gynaecological problems, pregnancy tests, dental problems, eye diseases, skin problems and many other complicated medical cases, and true to our motto, we had specialists to handle every case much to the satisfaction of all. 

Lion Mercy talking to patients as they wait to be served.

As the day goes by, the medical team is overwhelmed but with the assistance from the Lions, they serve untiringly and by the end of the day we are all happy for what we have achieved and the people of Isingiro are very satisfied and greatful for the service rendered to them.

Part of the crowd that turned up to be treated of different ailments.

Lions also took time off their busy schedule to donate blood and mobilise other people at the camp to donate to save lives. (In the photo, Lion Gervase donating blood to save lives)

As usual, to celebrate our achievement, the day was concluded with a sumptuous dinner and drinks at the home of Lions Gervase and Rose Ndyanabo.

Oh! i almost forgot! As said by one of the renowned nutritionists, "you need to exercise alot so that food can be easily digested", we danced "paka chini" for some good hours punctuated with jokes and loads of laughter.

It's Sunday morning! Lion Rose has prepared for us a very good breakfast, everybody is enjoying themselves and thanking each other for the work well done. It's 10:00am and we're on our bus back to Kampala after a job well done................yes!! We serve.

On a personal note, i must say that it was another adventure but the beauty of staying away from the noisy and dusty Kampala and breathing very fresh air was as satisfying as seeing a patient grateful for the service we rendered.

To those of you who missed, my camera was on duty as usual and i bring to you some of the moments it captured.

Some of the Lions in a group photo!

The "Generals" and lieutenants!!!!

 Lions and the Medical team in a group photo after the camp.

Enjoying the ride on a pick up!!!

To all those who contributed generously towards the success of this medical camp, we say thank you very much and may your efforts be rewarded abundantly. We look foward to your continued moral and material support in the service to the less fortunate.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR VISITED........

It was December 19, 2008 when the District governor visited our club. The visit had been eagerly anticipated and when it finally came to pass, all the Lions and Leos jumped to their feet and welcome the Governor with the respect he deserves.

Forgive me for saying that Lions are obsessed with environmental protection, but yes, we are obsessed because a healthy environment breeds healthy, active and charitable minds. So, the day started with the Governor and his Gracious wife planting trees at the Makerere Lions Leisure park to show their support of our activity. 

The Governor together with all the Lions and Leos, then took a tour of the Leisure park and Planted more trees and replaced others which were destroyed by termites. The activity was a success and the Governor would later appreciate our efforts in protecting the environment at a meeting he presided over at Makerere Guest house to brief the club on the proceedings at both the District and International head quarters.

Lions have a big heart for the less privileged of our society. This was manifested by the donation of food stuffs to the Salvation Army home of the disabled and children. The Governor himself presided over this function and on his part, contributed cash for the running of the home.

The administrators of the home were over joyed and endlessly thanked Lions for their support.

Quite an active morning!........wasn't it?? Yes it was and it deserved a very good Lunch. The Governor was then hosted to a Luncheon at Makerere Guest house before taking a break to prepare for an eventful evening......... Read on..................;

Did i say "the evening was eventful? oh yes!! The evening begun with a sumptuous dinner organised in honour of the Governor's visit. It was very well attended and everybody enjoyed.

Our beloved club president Lion Dr. Mercy Mirembe Ntangaare then outlined the club's achievements within the first half of the Lionistic year and the activities lined up for the last half. Notably was the contribution to the Governor's pledge of membership retention and growth where the club has excelled by inducting ten (10) new members much to the delight of the Governor.

The governor then gave us an account of how far he has gone in achieving what he promised in his manifesto and the plan ahead. He reiterated his commitment to increase membership within the district after all "agali awamu ge galuma enyama"(together as one we serve better).

A number of Lion members were specially recognised with Melvin Jones plaques and pins in appreciation for their endless effort in being the Knights of the blind through contributions to the LCIF Campaign SightFirst II.

More joy was to come as many new members were inducted into Lionism in different clubs on that day but of course our club had the biggest share of the new members.

It was then time to crown the visit and we did it in style by cutting of a cake which was specially made in the shape of the Lions logo.

Still need to know more????? Yes, we danced to the tunes of a live band on stage as we exchanged good byes and festive season wishes.

Now, The next time you hear that a governor is visiting, do not miss the opportunity to be part of the fun as well as servants for a better humanity.

Family day - The Lions way

Welcome to the real meaning of a family!

We all have families where we come from and belong. However, there is one unique family; the Lions family where a family day-out is nothing but fun, fun and more fun. Oh! you haven't clicked! Well, let me take you through what transpired on 14th December 2008 during our end of year Family day.

The day begun with the learning and playing of a new and exciting game called wood ball. Lions Dans and Emelda group took the day followed by Lions Emma and Jotham. now, let me let you in on the secret of being the first (according to Dans), always register as the first. I could not refute his theory because he had registered his group first and the group won, so........ go ahead and follow.

The game was followed by a samptous lunch thanks to the good organisation by the Activities committee chaired by Lion Tush Naturinda.

The lunch break was followed by an address by the President of Lions club of Kampala central, Lion Mercy and the Immediate Past District Governor, Lion Hon. Shem Bageine. We were then treated to a brain teasing session led by Eng. Dans Naturinda.

The most interesting part of the day was the introductions led by Lion Grace. You must have read in one of the Lion Magazines that "each club should have it level of silliness" and surely this was ours. Ever imagined introducing yourself with a trademark gesture?? Yes, that's what we did and believe me it was fun and everyone loved it.

The children had too much fun and they climaxed it with the cutting of the Lions christmass cake together with "Father Christmass" Lion Venie Tinkumanya.

After munching the cake, it was time to shake our bones and yes! the young and old all pulled very serious strokes.

As the memorable day came to an end we sat in a group and listened to words of wisdom from our beloved IPDG Lion Hon. Shem Bageine and other senior lions.

It is an understatement to say that "the day was good" because to me it was memeorable and showed the real meaning of a family; Lions family at that!

I now bring to you some of the other moments as cuaght on camera;

Let's use our experience and win!!

I already have mine so if you don't mind pick yours!

This is how we do it!!

Guests too had loads of fun.....and i was witness with my camera.

And for the souvenir.............

To all of you who made it memorable, thanks so much

and to those who didn't attend for one reason or the other,

you missed alot but see you at the next activity.

Clean Environment, Clear minds and Better Health

Ask me why i love Lionism and i'll tell you that it's because we are "all-rounders"  for the good causes!

The Lions club of Kampala Central and the Leos club at Makerere proved me right on Saturday November 22, 2008 when they took  up "arms" to clean up the Lions Leisure Park at Makerere University. 

In the photo above, Lion Tush; the Activities committee Chairperson together with other members show their strength as Leos look on.

The Lions together with the Leos at Makerere descended on the park with  pangas, hoes and other tools and rid it of all the creepers on trees and other unwanted plants in the park not forgetting picking buveras and other things that littered the green park.

Other activities of the day included, naming of trees and tagging them to different Lions and Leo members for easy Identification and care. I bring to you some of the day's moments as caught on camera;

Hey! don't cut that tree.....

Take heart please, i am just clearing the bush around it to give it some breathing space to grow well.

Lion Tush and Leo Rusia together with another Leo trying to map out a plan of how to go about the work

It's our duty to protect the environment. Leos drove the message home by display of their club banner at the park.

The activity ended with a group photo to remember the great effort in maintaining the environment clean.

A big thank you to all those who participated in the activity of keeping our environment clean.