I still remember the early morning of September 6th, 2025. The sun had barely risen when Rotarians arrived at Ssekanyonyi Health Centre IV, and the grounds were already filled with people waiting to receive the medical services. The energy of Rotarians, Rotaractors, doctors, nurses, and health educators was bustling alive as all started to offload medicines and equipment, preparing for what would become one of the most impactful day I have ever witnessed as a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Ssingo Mityana.
We had come together eight Rotary Clubs from Bwebajja, Mityana, Entebbe Base, Kitende, Lunguja, Kabulasoke Gomba, Lweza in formation, and my very own Ssingo Mityana, alongside two Rotaract Clubs -Bwebajja and Mityana, to hold this Joint Medical Camp. Our goal was simple yet profound: to bring impactful health services closer to those who need them most. By the end of the day, over 1,200 lives had been touched.
The medical camp offered a diversity of services, and as a mother, I could not help but smile as I saw parents lining up with their children for immunization, some receiving BCG, Polio, and Hepatitis B vaccines. Nearby, in the dental room, I watched a mother walk out relieved after her painful tooth extraction. Smiles and sighs of relief became the order of the day.
At another corner, women gathered for cervical and breast cancer screenings, while men queued for prostate checks. Out of nearly 250 people screened across these areas, a few positive cases were detected, sobering reminders of why such camps are crucial.
I spent sometime in the health education tent, where over 700 people sat attentively as health educators spoke about prevention, hygiene, and family health. I could see faces lighting up with new understanding, nods of recognition, and sometimes whispered conversations as people connected the lessons to their daily lives.
The eye screening unit was equally busy. By day’s end, 305 people had been checked. Many were diagnosed with cataracts, refractive errors, and allergic conjunctivitis, conditions that, if left unchecked, silently rob people of sight. But here, they were spotted early.
In the laboratory, the numbers told their own story: 206 malaria tests with 78 positives; 152 HIV tests with 2 positives; 103 Hepatitis B tests with 1 positive; Blood sugar checks, RPR/VDRL, and HCG tests were also available. Each test meant someone walked away with answers, treatment, or a referral that could change the trajectory of their health.
What deeply warmed my heart in the afternoon was the compassion, and obviously the medicine accessed by this community. We distributed 300 mosquito nets to protect families from malaria, 100 mama kits to expectant mothers, and an estimate of 300 sets of clothes to those in need. I’ll never forget the grateful smile of a young mother clutching her mama kit and a suitcase of clothes, whispering a quiet “thank you” that said more than words ever could.
On this day many of my club members (RC Ssingo Mityana is yet to celebrate a year in December), testified to me that they felt the mighty power of Rotary and the significant power of collaboration. Everyone had witnessed doctors who never seemed to tire, Rotarians and Rotaractors carrying medicines and equipment with cheerful resilience, and community members who came with worries but left with hope. This experience vividly demonstrated why we wear the Rotary lapel pins. It’s not as decoration, but as a symbol of duty, compassion, and transformation.
In those over 1,200 acts of compassion and kindness, we proved that Rotary’s spirit of service can heal not just bodies, but whole communities.