Rotarian Robert Makuza was installed as president of Rotary Club Kigali on Thursday, June 4, taking over from Alexis Muderevu. He will officially assume office on July 1. The event also marked a Diamond Jubilee, celebrating 60 years of Service Above Self.
As he prepares to lead the club during the 2026–2027 Rotary year, Makuza has identified healthcare and youth development as his main areas of focus.
He said the club will support projects aimed at improving access to healthcare while helping young people transform their ideas into sustainable ventures. Community-based cooperatives are also expected to benefit from the club’s development initiatives.
Makuza plans to increase the club’s membership. He said that bringing in new members will strengthen Rotary Club Kigali’s capacity to implement more projects and extend its reach.
"We want to recruit more people and serve as a bigger group,” he said.
He described Rotary as a platform for people committed to improving the wellbeing of others and encouraged more Rwandans to get involved. Makuza has been a member since 2016.
He is a Paul Harris Fellow, a recognition given to people who support The Rotary Foundation through financial contributions. He noted that Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen is proud to be a 100 percent Paul Harris Fellow club. He expressed appreciation for the commitment and optimism of fellow Rotarians about the year ahead.
Outgoing president Muderevu highlighted a long-running project supporting former street children as one of the most impactful initiatives during his tenure.
The initiative, known as "Sheer Love,” supports children who have left their homes and ended up on the streets, often due to poverty or family breakdown. It helps them return to school and reintegrate into family and community life.
About 55 children have benefited from the programme so far, with most now back in school and living with families.
Families caring for the children are also supported to start small income-generating activities, including livestock projects such as goat rearing, to help them provide for the children under their care.
Muderevu noted the club’s World Polio Day commemoration in October 2025 as another major moment of his term. The event attracted wide participation, including senior government officials.