Rotary groups in Kampala have been left in confusion following uncertainty surrounding a pledged Ugx 1 billion donation that was previously announced by former Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, toward community charity projects.
The pledge, which was reportedly made during a meeting between the Speaker and Rotary representatives, was intended to support humanitarian initiatives, including the construction of specialized hospital wards aimed at improving healthcare services for vulnerable communities.
At the time of the announcement, the former Speaker had indicated her willingness to personally contribute the substantial amount as part of her engagement with civic and service organizations. The commitment was widely welcomed by Rotary members, who saw it as a major boost to their ongoing development work.
However, recent developments in Parliament have created uncertainty over whether the pledge will still be fulfilled. Reports suggest that the current leadership does not formally recognize the commitment in the same way it was originally presented, leaving questions about its implementation.
Some Rotary members have expressed disappointment, saying they had already begun mobilizing expectations within their networks based on the announced support. The unclear status of the funding has therefore caused frustration among sections of the organization.
Inside Parliament, differing views are emerging on how such commitments made in previous leadership structures should be handled. Some officials argue that charitable pledges linked to individual initiatives should be reassessed under new administrative guidance.
The situation has also sparked broader debate on how public office holders communicate and authorize large-scale donations, especially when such promises may later fall outside institutional budget frameworks or change with leadership transitions.
For now, Rotary leaders say they are seeking clarification and possible engagement with the relevant authorities to determine whether the pledged support can still be honored or if alternative arrangements will need to be considered.
