On 24th October 2025, Rotary District 9214 joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Polio Day with impactful community activities and celebrations at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The day began with immunization drives targeting young children and culminated in a colorful awareness march along the shores of Lake Victoria, uniting Rotarians, Rotaractors, and partners under the global call to “Finish the Job” of eradicating polio.
During the event, clubs from across Uganda and Tanzania were recognized for their outstanding fundraising efforts toward The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus campaign. The recognition served as a reminder of Rotary’s unwavering commitment to ending a disease that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children annually.
The highlight of the day was the moving testimony of Allan Kabaale,
a 33-year-old polio survivor whose story captured hearts and inspired all present. Allan shared his remarkable journey of resilience — from living with the effects of polio to becoming a national youth leader and author of the motivational book “Beating the Odds.”
“I know in life, it’s all about beating the odds,” Allan said. “When your dream is big enough, the odds don’t matter. Despite my disability, I have used my platform to speak about ability, not inability. We go to Parliament not to fight, but to discuss issues. They don’t need my legs; they need my head.”
His emotional address shed light on the lifelong challenges faced by polio survivors and the importance of Rotary’s continued efforts to ensure that no child suffers the same fate.
“Because of polio, my bones are weak. I can’t carry my daughters the way I wish to,” he shared. “That’s why I thank Rotary and all partners for this campaign — so that no one ever has to experience what I did.”
District Governor Christine Kyeyune Kawooya commended all clubs and partners for their dedication and reminded members that while the world is 99.9% polio-free, the final stretch requires persistence, compassion, and continued vaccination efforts.
As the sun set over Munyonyo, the spirit of Rotary shone brighter — a testament to collective action, compassion, and the belief that together, we can beat the odds and achieve a polio-free world.