The body of Rotarian Sam Owori lying in state at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala where Rotarians from different parts of the world including Kenya, Burundi, Canada, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the US gathered to celebrate a man who passed away on 13th July 2017 due to complications from a leg surgery. It was a somber mood as the Rotary fraternity and others celebrated the life of a man who according to many domesticated the Rotary leadership. “Africa has had one Allie President from Nigeria in 2003, Rotarian Sam was going to be the second. I don’t know in my lifetime as a Rotarian whether I will see another Rotarian National President from Africa?” Said, Robert Nsibirwa – Minister of Finance, Buganda Government.
Rotary does not have so many members in Africa, a possibility of an African rising to the top National roles are minimal but Owori had defied this. “He leaves us with a challenge, if we love him, if we love Rotary, we must go on and do what he has dreamt of; to increase the number, to make Africa two zones so that we have two Directors sitting on the board at the same time.” Said, Norah Owori – Widow. Oworialso served as the Executive Director of the Defunctive Uganda Commercial Bank and later the Africa Development Bank.
The Rotary fraternity in Uganda was due to travel in June next year to Toronto Canada to witness a key milestone as Owori was to be installed as the 108th President of Rotary International. “I know we are all shuttered and some people were telling me; now about Toronto, we were all set, we were going to Toronto but now we are shuttered we are not even thinking about Toronto. And I told them; you see you were inspired by Sam and now you are not going to Toronto? You must go to Toronto.” Said, Norah Owori. One of the key perceptions Rotary grapples with is that the organization is for the rich. “Rotary is for the rich at heart, people who feel that whichever contribution you give can make a difference in people’s lives.” Said, Ken Mugisha – Governor, District 9211 (Uganda & Tanzania).
Owori survived by a wife and three children. There will be a funeral service for the repose of his soul at Namirembe Cathedral on Thursday and later transported to his ancestral in Nagongera, Tororo district for burial. In 1905, US citizen Paul Harris and five others founded Rotary to empower communities and provide humanitarian assistance. “But we cannot do enough of that unless we are many and that’s what the challenge is that; we try to get more people of good heart who are willing to get involved, multiply the numbers and then service and support for the communities are going to increase.” Said, Francis Tusubirwa – Past District Governor. There are about 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.
