Rotary Club of Kajjansi home hospitality was a blast

By Rose Nakafu

God in all his wisdom led and enabled RtnSsesanga and the Magalas to organize a home hospitality for the Rotary Club of Kajjansi on 28th January 2012.

The event was awe-inspiring and naturally where Rotarians gather, many great things follow. First there was a thanksgiving mass (house warming), then fellowship, followed by bidding farewell to Rtn Joyce Magala who will be leaving the country next week to finish with her PHD. There were plenty of eats, drinks (soft and hard) and music. Rotarians and non-Rotarians displayed great dancing strokes save for me who does not like a sight of dusty shoes! As others danced others networked and talked to the accompaniment of lagers, tea, sodas, and spirits. Seated next to Rtn Mbowa (Ssese) I could see him enjoying the chicken and spring rolls wondering who the Chef was!

As the Rotarians from Kajjansi sang Rotary songs, many Rotarians of Kyengera were overheard whispering to each other planning to transfer to Kajjansi Rotary Club (RtnNamakajjo, RtnNambaale, Rtn Spire, RtnNamugalu .... Oh my God the list is too long). The non –Rotarians were reminded of the primary speech days and concerts.

If you missed this, please just be on the look for the next DO to be hosted by Rtn Andrew Kyabaggu.

I sincerely thank all Rotarians who attended the function. Special thanks to the Country Chair for honouring our invite, she made Kajjansi proud and on top of other clubs.

Bravo Rtn Moses Ssesanga and the Magalas.

Rotarians help to clean Kajjansi town

By Hannington Sebuliba

Rotarians were were sweeping the roadside and Market area in Kajjansi plus collecting garbage. A few of them wore surgical gloves to enable them collect garbage from the roadside trenches of Kajjansi township while others were on their knees, pulling grass growing through the tarmac parking lot.

It is not fiction but this happened last Thursday, January 26, 2012, these gallant Rotarians decided to clean the community in which they live.

The Roatarians were not cleaning Dreams Guest house where they have their fellowships every Wednesday, nor were they on community service sentenced by courts of law. No one even ordered them to clean. They volunteered to do this to let the people of Kajjansi get to know that Rotary is about service above self.

The Rotarians headed by their President Peace Taremwa were joined by Wakiso District Chairman Matia Lwanga Bwanika who praised Rotary for its work. They were also joined by local leaders from the area to clean up the town.

The cleanup lasted about four hours. At 11:00am, all Rotarians were invited to take a photo with the Wakiso District chairman before he left for official duties. They later resumed their work. “ We are set to do good in the World” President Peace noted.

Locals were mesmerized to see Rotarians clean in a happy mood yet they had not been paid anything.

How to write a good news report

By Hannington Sebuliba

Last week we looked at the way we can engage the media in covering our events. This time we are looking at the way you can become a good reporter for your club bulletin and may be a local newspaper.

Once you set out to write a story of any event, you must first all have the following tools with you. The first tool must be a pen, then you get a note book, if you are lucky to have a recorder don’t forget to move along with it. A camera with fully charged batteries should never be forgotten. And finally you must have nose for news.

When you get to the field or any Rotary function ensure that your story answers the following questions. What happened? When did it happen? Why did it happen? Where was the event? Who was involved? and how did it happen?

Once you have answered all those questions, then you are ready to write a very informative article. When you are writing an article, ensure that you state facts the way they happened do not put in your opinion. Opinions are never entertained in a news report.

Use quotes that are necessary and meaningful to the story. These quotes will give your story a human face. Never put a quote in a story if you are not sure the person said it.

When you are writing make sure you use simple language that is easily understood. People don’t carry dictionaries therefore, when you use difficult english, they will switch off their minds.

Always use short and simple sentences. Once you use compound sentences, you might end up getting confused and in the end confuse your reader.

When you start to write your story, make sure you answer the 5Ws+H in your first sentence commonly known as the intro. This will give your reader thirst to read more. Once your intro is confusing, the reader will never desire to read more.

Always avoid using the 3Ps. These are the unnecessary passengers, parasites and pitfalls in your story. These are words that can be removed from a sentence and it remains meaningful.

When you are reporting always look at the unusual events. In journalism we always say that when a dog bites a man it is not news but when a man bites a dog that makes news because it is unusual.

Prominent people also make news. When some one who is a prominent person attends an event, he/she can make news.

Next time we shall look at how to capture photos that are newsworthy.