CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF PAST PRESIDENT (PP) DR. ABEL RWENDEIRE BY THE COUNCIL OF PAST PRESIDENTS (PPC) AND RCKN, MONDAY 16th, OCT. 2017
The Past Presidents (PPs) of Rotary Club of Kampala North (RCKN), under the Council of Past Presidents (PPC) celebrate the well lived, exemplary life of one of our own, late PP Dr. Abel Rwendeire.
PP Dr. Abel Rwendeire was introduced to RCKN by the late Rotarian John B. Turyagenda.
PP Abel was an accomplished academician, professional of international stature at the United Nations as a Managing Director UNIDO, a Government Minister, a Principal of a national University, Deputy Chairperson National Planning Authority, a Politician with ethics and integrity and many other attributes, as testified by numerous speakers, media and other fora during his funeral and burial. He was known to work hard, deliver on what he undertook to do and was a champion of causes for the down trodden, when he saw unfairness, for example, the necessity to increase the low salaries for Makerere University lecturers to a living wage. He lived according to the Rotary “Four way Test” of truth, fairness, building friendships and benefit to all concerned.
As a Rotarian, PP Abel was an example of the family of Rotary way of life. He was a family man and with his beautifull wife Mercy raised beautifull, well brought up children, who like their father are serving in various capacities in our nation and beyond. It is only a few years back, when many Rotarians of Kampala North and from other Rotary Clubs, graced the grand, memorable function , where a proud, beaming father PP Abel gave away one of his beautifull daughters at a Kuhingira.
Rotarian PP Abel stood with the great world and local leaders, academicians, politicians, people from different walks of life ;but he was a humble man by nature, straight forward, down to earth and able to relate with all people down to the grassroots level.
PP Abel had a high sense of responsibility and commitment to Rotary duty despite his official tight schedules elsewhere. He put “Service above Self” first, as per Rotary Motto. During the period of his Club Presidency in 2001-2002(with the Theme, Act with Consistence and Take Action), PP Abel was also at the time, a State Minister responsible for Trade and had to travel alot outside the country. However, he presided over the weekly Monday fellowships and carried out other Rotary duties. Rotary featured prominently in his personal plans. He would often rush directly from the airport and make it in time to ensure he presided over fellowship. During PP Abel’s year as President, the Rotary Global Quest for Membership dictated a high annual target for the Club’s recruitment of new members, in order to grow. He was so committed to bringing in new members to attain the target and he personally recruited quite a number from his Ministry, even though they left in later years, possibly due to insufficient mentoring by the Club. In a later year when the Club held its Strategic Planning Retreat at King Fisher Resort, Jinja, PP Abel was present and contributed very actively to discussion , his other overwhelming duties notwithstanding. The output of the Retreat benefited from his wealth of knowledge and diverse experience.
PP Abel was a giver who contributed to The Rotary Foundation (TRF), with multiple Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) levels, to enhance Rotary service to humanity. On a lighter note, PP Abel will also be remembered by beneficiaries for his spirit of giving. During the above mentioned, Jinja Strategic Planning Retreat, he shared a part of his loaded airtime entitlement with some of the members who did not have such benefits, via a direct transfer to their mobile phones.
We as a Club and Rotary in general celebrate the life of a remarkable Rotarian and PP of RCKN Club, for the good he did for humanity and his contribution to mankind while he lived among us, which service touched and changed the lives of many and will remain in our hearts to emulate.
For Ann Mercy, the Children and wider family, we thank you for sharing PP Abel with RCKN and Rotary. Our hearts are heavy and are with you as you come to grips with the great loss. We pray to the Almighty to strengthen, uplift and enable you to move forward.
PP Abel Rwendeire, farewell, but you still live in the hearts of people touched by the fortune that you lived here on earth.
RIP.
On behalf of PPs of Rotary Club of Kampala North,
PP Eve Kasirye-Alemu.
Chairperson, Council of Past Presidents 2016-2018.
Click here for the Photo Gallery of the event