Kampala Club's History
Lions club Kampala Host is the second oldest club in Multiple District 411 (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia).
The club was formed on October 11, 1959 organized by Sultan Jaffer who had been contacted by Nairobi Host Lions Club formed in 1958. Lion J.B. Wilkson of Kampala Host became the Second Provisional District Governor during 1961 1962-63.
The second annual District Convention was held on 13th June 1964 in Kampala, Uganda.
The Lions had spread to most towns in Uganda during 1960s but there was a setback to Lionism in Uganda as most clubs closed down during the civil strife and Kampala Host remained semi dormant with a few remaining Africans who had become members keeping it afloat.
Kampala Host started reviving its activities early 1980s and by 1990s it had expanded its membership. The club has formed other clubs in the country and it has been a guide to many others. As the older club in the country it has played a leading role in the lions? activities. During 2002 it was declared the best club in the then District 411 comprised of the four countries namely: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Kampala Host was the first club to produce the first Africa Ugandan District Governor (2003-2004) who was also the first Sub- District 411 B Governor comprised of Uganda and Tanzania when District 411 attained a :Multiple District Status. He is Lion Polly Karimari Ndyarugahi, PDG.
Kampala Host has experienced and seasoned lion members and now mixed with younger members who have been joining the club. The club membership is 60 with a 50:50 men/women ratio. Average age is 40.
Entebbe Lions Club was born out of Kampala Host having started as its branch.
Kampala Host continues to play the leading role in the Lions activities.
WHAT WE DO AS KAMPALA HOST LIONS CLUB:
Since its charter the club has been carrying out various service activities to the community. These are some of the activities:
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES:
* Visiting abandoned children at Charity Homes e.g. Nsambya & Sanyu Babies Homes.
* Supporting the homes of the elderly e.g. Bakateyamba Home in Nalukolongo.
* Rehabilitation e.g. rehabilitated Kapeeka Social Center in Luwero Triangle.
* Provision of safe and clean water by erecting spring well protections.
* Constructed a foundation of the building for AIDS Patients at Kamwokya Community.
* Visiting of Kampala School for Physically Handicapped every 8th of October World Service day, taking along foodstuffs and other necessities and repaired wheel chairs and donated a washing machine to the same school.
* Building of bus shelter stands and zebra-crossings in the city.
* Erecting Road signs on major roads entering the city.
* Helps whenever disaster strikes.
* Have purchased land for a long-term project.
ENVIRONMENT:
* Tree planting is a continuous yearly activity.
HEALTH SERVICES:
* Diabetic camps and sensitization of the community
* Donation of glucometers
* Blood donation
* Assisting of heart and kidney patients for going abroad for treatment
* Donated mattresses and hospital equipment to some Health Centers
* Artificial Limbs donated to Regional Referral Hospitals
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
* Pay school fees for the disadvantaged children.
* Donated laboratory equipment and chairs to Kololo SS.
* Replaced windowpanes and fixed glasses at East Kololo Primary School.
* Donated chairs to the computer class of the School for the Blind at Kireka and installed electricity to the classroom.
SIGHT FIRST:
* Organizing eye camps.
* Sensitization and screening.
* Cataract surgeries.
* Donating recycled eyeglasses to those in need.
* Sensitization to the public and civic leaders on Onchorcesiasis (River Blindness).
* Assisting and work hand in hand with the National Association of the Blind.
YOUTH SERVICES:
* Sponsoring of Leo Clubs.
* Participate in the Lions International Peace Poster Context.
RECREATION SERVICES:
* Donated a trophy to a school to promote sports.
* Donated a basketball and balls to a Remand Home for juveniles and took them other provisions.
SOURCE OF FUNDING
Each year every Lions Club, Kampala Host inclusive assesses programs and services to provide for their local communities. They make budgets for the activities and for Club Administration.
The Main Source of Funding
1. ACTIVITIES
(a)Lions Club International Foundation, (LCIF)
LCIF is a humanitarian funding arm of Lions Club International that gives opportunity to the Lions of the world to help the local Lions in meeting vital world wide needs. It was founded on June 13th 1968. LCIF is a public, non profit, tax exempt, legal autonomous, corporation that provides through voluntary contribution of Lions and others for humanitarian projects world wide. These include:
Humanitarian service e.g. (schools, hospitals, refugee assistance)
Vocation assistance
Major disaster relief: It gives Emergency grants up to US $10,000. Standard grants up to US $75,000
Major catastrophe grants on international impact for which there is annual availability of US $250,000.
Furthermore, the foundation provides for major international service programs like Diabetes research, drug awareness and Sight First.
Kampala Host has benefited from LCIF/Sight First Grants by carrying out Sight First programs since 1999 up-to-date. The club carries out cataract operations every year and eye camps and screening exercises in different places in Uganda. These include: Kamuli, Kampala, Mpigi District, Wakiso, Luwero, Ntungamo, Arua Districts and Ibanda sub-District.
(b)Fundraising e.g.
(i) Mayor?s ball held at least once a year
(ii) Charity walks
(c) Appeals
We receive funds through various club appeals.
(d) Auctioning
(e)Club dinners held at least once a month
(f) Donation box at Entebbe International Airport
(g) Volunteers through individuals both Lions and Non Lions e.g. on World Service Day
2. ADMINISTRATION
(i) Membership annual subscription and auctioning during member dinners
NB: Funds got from the public are kept on the activity account and are used only for those activities to help in the community. Those funds cannot be used to pay membership dues what so ever!! Committees are usually set up for proper accountability. Club membership dues are used to defray club expenses.
