Charles Mudiwa, Chief Executive Officer of dfcu Bank, congratulates Bernard Kasibante following his installation as President of the Rotary Club of Kampala Blue Hearts for the 2026/27 Rotary year during the Club’s first Charter Anniversary celebrations held at dfcu Bank Head Offices in Nakasero.
The Rotary Club of Kampala Blue Hearts has installed President Elect (PE) Benard Kasibante as its second president, succeeding Charter President Marjorie Brenda Namyalo, who handed over leadership after steering the club through its formative year.
The installation ceremony, held at the dfcu Bank Head Office in Nakasero on July 4, marked a significant milestone for one of Uganda’s newest Rotary clubs.
The Rotary Club of Kampala Blue Hearts was chartered in mid-2025 as Uganda’s first corporate Rotary Club, established with the backing of dfcu Bank, whose commitment included a landmark UGX 1 billion investment to support the club’s community service initiatives and long-term sustainability.
The event brought together Rotary leaders, dfcu Bank executives, members, partners and invited guests to celebrate the club’s achievements while charting a new course under Kasibante’s leadership.
In an emotional farewell address, outgoing Charter President Marjorie Namyalo reflected on the club’s remarkable journey from inception to becoming an active force for community service.
“I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude, reflection and deep humility,” she said, thanking God, dfcu Bank leadership, board members and Rotarians whose support enabled the young club to thrive despite the inevitable challenges of its first year.
Expressing confidence in her successor, Namyalo said, “I have 99.9% confidence that you’ll steer this ship farther than what I’ve been able to do.”
She encouraged Kasibante to preserve the club’s strengths while introducing fresh ideas.
“Copy every nice thing you have seen in me and bring on those new ideas,” she advised.
Namyalo also challenged every member to prepare for leadership, reminding them that, “Today you’re just a member, tomorrow you’re a president.”
Service above self
During her tenure, the club distinguished itself through medical camps, humanitarian outreaches and partnerships that directly improved lives across several communities.
Among the flagship initiatives were medical camps in Nabulya and other places, where volunteers provided healthcare services to underserved communities.
The club also supported persons with disabilities through community outreach programmes and partnered with the Rotary Clubs of Kajjansi and Kampala South during the visit of the Rotary International President, who presided over a major polio immunisation exercise.
Namyalo described these programmes as evidence that the club had become “a movement of hearts committed to people.”
Reflecting on personal loss during her presidency, she shared how Rotary’s guiding principle sustained her after losing her father.
“You could be hurting, but there’s someone who’s hurting more than you. They need you. That is what Service above Self is all about,” she said.
The Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” remains the organisation’s defining philosophy worldwide. Founded in 1905 in Chicago, United States, Rotary brings together business, professional and community leaders to provide humanitarian service, promote integrity, foster peace and build goodwill across communities.
Today, Rotary has more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries and geographical areas, implementing projects in disease prevention, maternal and child health, clean water, education, environmental conservation, economic development and peace building.
Many people join Rotary because it offers opportunities to serve communities, develop leadership skills, build professional and lifelong friendships, network across professions and contribute to global initiatives such as the fight against polio through The Rotary Foundation.
Vision for Impact
Taking office as president for the 2026–2027 Rotary year, Kasibante pledged to build on the solid foundation laid by the charter leadership by focusing on sustainable impact rather than short-term interventions.
“I pledge to lead with integrity. I will listen. I will not serve alone,” Kasibante said.
His administration will focus on five strategic priorities – strengthening membership and fellowship, implementing sustainable community service projects, enhancing the club’s public image through storytelling and digital platforms, building partnerships with other Rotary clubs, and increasing support for The Rotary Foundation.
Kasibante said the club would continue quarterly medical camps while expanding environmental conservation through tree-planting initiatives, promoting financial literacy and creating programmes that leave lasting benefits for communities.
“Our members are our greatest asset,” he noted, adding that member retention, professional fellowship and active participation would be critical to the club’s growth.
“This year is about impact and unity,” he said.
Chief Guest and dfcu Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Mudiwa challenged members to move beyond one-off community interventions.
“Creating impact is critical. Quick fixes are no longer enough. We should create lasting impact even after the 2026–2027 Rotary year,” Mudiwa said.
He urged the club to transform its successful medical outreach programmes into sustainable healthcare models capable of serving communities for decades.
“The club should continue to exist 40 to 50 years from now,” he said. “We must move from short-term interventions to sustainable systems of impact.”
Mudiwa reiterated dfcu Bank’s commitment to the club, describing the bank as “the engine of this club beyond being a corporate entity behind this Rotary club.”
He also encouraged young professionals to embrace ethical leadership. “Let’s lead with integrity,” he said.
With strong corporate backing, an ambitious service agenda and a growing membership committed to Rotary’s ideals, the club hopes to continue demonstrating that meaningful community transformation is achieved not through isolated acts of charity, but through sustained service, collaboration and leadership.
