At the buzzing Legends Sports Grounds in Lugogo on Saturday, joy, teamwork, and purpose collided as the Rotary Club of Kyadondo launched its inaugural Rotary Sports Gala under the theme “Play for Purpose.” The event, which drew together Rotary clubs, Rotaract members, corporate teams, NGOs, schools, sports associations, and the public, doubled as a fundraising drive for a life-changing cause: completing an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) at Naigobya Primary School in Luuka District.
This year’s gala took on special significance with Bash Global Initiative joining as a proud partner and lead sponsor. For Bash Global, whose work focuses on education, advocacy, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), and environmental sustainability, the partnership was more than a sponsorship but a statement of mission.
“When we talk about partnership, it can sometimes sound like just a word on paper,” said Shemekar Nagaba, Development Director at Bash Global. “But for us, this partnership with the Rotary Club of Kyadondo it means community. What excites me most is that it’s not just about today’s gala, it’s about children in Naigobya who will soon have a proper early childhood centre, a safe space where they can learn, grow, and dream without limits.”
The Early Childhood Development Centre in Naigobya is set to become the first formal ECDC in the district, a milestone in a region where access to foundational education has long been a challenge. The project includes classrooms, a library, and a community space designed to give young learners the foundation they need to thrive.
Prof. Peter Kyobe Waiswa, a member of the Rotary Club of Kyadondo and an alumnus of Naigobya Primary School, explained the urgency, “I started my own education at Naigobya Primary School, yet today many children there cannot even complete primary seven. They have the same potential, but face barriers of poverty, lack of facilities, and food insecurity. By completing this centre, we are giving them the opportunity to rewrite their futures. This project is about more than buildings rather about bringing hope to that community.”
For Bash Global Initiative, the event echoed its broader vision of empowering vulnerable communities across Uganda.
“Sports unite people. They bring joy, energy, and teamwork,” noted Bashir Mukwaya, Executive Director of Bash Global Initiative. “When that same energy is channeled into community transformation, the impact multiplies. Supporting this gala perfectly reflects who we are an organisation committed to building sustainable futures by investing in education and empowering communities.”
The gala also attracted national leaders and voices from across the development sector.
Stella Arwako, President of the Rotary Club of Kyadondo, called it a landmark moment, “This is our very first sports gala, and we are doing it for a little-known school in the Busoga sub-region. We are walking this journey with Bash Global Initiative because their mission which is supporting underprivileged communities with education, clean water, and sustainable solutions, aligns so deeply with Rotary’s vision of service above self. Together, we can keep children in school and make them competitive in tomorrow’s job market.”
Chief Guest William Blick, a member of the International Olympic Committee and board member of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Authority, hailed the partnership as a model for community-driven development. “This initiative will give disadvantaged children in Luuka district the facilities they need to grow as leaders of tomorrow. What impresses me most is the collective spirit of people coming together for communities they may not even know. This is what real service looks like.”
Beyond the speeches and symbolic cheque handovers, the energy on the sports fields spoke volumes. Teams competed in football, volleyball, and athletics not just for trophies, but for a shared cause. Rotaract members, corporate runners, and community participants all echoed one sentiment: that play can fuel purpose.
For Bash Global Initiative, this event marks only the beginning of a long-term collaboration with Rotary and other stakeholders.
The Early Childhood Development Centre in Naigobya is expected to open its doors in early 2026, giving hundreds of children the chance to start their educational journey with dignity and hope.
About Bash Global Initiative
Bash Global Initiative is a Ugandan nonprofit dedicated to creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and driving community development for vulnerable groups. With a focus on education, community advocacy, WASH, and environmental sustainability, Bash Global works to transform lives and build resilient futures.