July 2026: Second Dental Camp in Tororo successfully launched
Following the great success of the 2024 Dental Camp, the free Dental Camp is back in Uganda! With the goal of establishing this crucial medical aid as an annual event, free dental treatments are once again being provided in the Tororo District of Uganda. The launch already exceeded all expectations: on the very first day, over 500 patients received free treatment at the Tororo Main Hospital.
Volunteer commitment from London
In a proven partnership with Dr. Mitesh Badiani and his SmileStar team, this project has been realized for the second time. 18 dedicated dentists and medical professionals have traveled from London to provide free check-ups, treatments, extractions, and vital educational work on-site.
Strong support from Rotary and local partners
The project is jointly funded by SmileStar and Rotary. Our special thanks for the financial support go to the following clubs: RC Bonn-Rheinbogen, RC Innsbruck Alpin,
RC Kitzbühel, and RC Wörgl Brixental.
The local organization goes hand in hand with the Kidera Development Foundation (KDF), in close cooperation with Stephen and Daniel Owori, as well as the teams of RC Kampala (Ibrahim Ssali, Grace Achire) and RC Muyenga (Ericque Okello, Herbert Masengere). Thanks to radio promotion, supported by Honorable Shyam Tanna, we were able to reach the people in the region effectively.
An overwhelming success: 1,324 smiles restored
What an incredible and deeply moving week it has been! Over the course of just five days, the team was able to treat and care for 1,324 patients. This phenomenal achievement shows how desperately needed this care is and what can be achieved when we join forces.
Thank you so much for this excellent collaboration and for your incredible volunteer work. Your dedication directly supports the well-being of people who otherwise would have no way of affording quality dental care.
You are truly amazing! A thousand thanks to Dr. Mitesh and his team, as well as to everyone who made this project possible and supported it on the ground.
Rotary connects the world – together, we bring visions to life!
Arrival of the SmileStar team in Entebbe. Far right: Dr Mitsh Badiani; to his left: Rtn Ibrahim Ssali (Kampala RC). Front left: Rtn Lydia (Kampala RC).
We are pleased to share our latest video highlighting the ongoing work and impact of our projects on the ground.
Watch the full video here or directly on our Sam Owori YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/VAtp9FdaaNs
Experience our story here:
Sam Owori Projects – Storytelling
You can find a glimpse of the conference's fantastic energy here: DCA 9213 Summary
April 2026: A Moving Appearance at the
101. District Conference
Doris Steinmüller-Nethl and Judith Köck attended the 101st District Conference (DCA 9213) in Uganda to present the Sam Owori Projects before an impressive audience.
A Special Moment Before 2,000 Rotarians
During the solemn Samuel F. Owori Memorial Lecture, Doris had the honor of addressing over 2,000 attendees. Together, they presented their new project film—a profound tribute to the legacy of RI President Elect Sam Owori and a living testament to their sustainable work in Kidera and Tororo.
Stronger Together
This visit showed us once again: Rotary connects people worldwide. When we pool our strengths and share our visions, sustainable change becomes possible.
Rotary connects the world – together, we bring visions to life!
The grounds of Kidera Primary School and the Sam Owori Skilling Hub in Tororo – featuring a TwistBlock workshop.
March 2026 - PERI creating future opportunities
PERI-Donation Enables Sustainable School Construction and New Perspectives
A Catalyst for Education: Under the umbrella of the "Building Sustainability" program, PERI will fund the much-needed expansion of the Kidera Primary School. In partnership with Start Somewhere and RC Innsbruck Alpin, we are creating vital new learning and living spaces for 1,500 students from underprivileged backgrounds, alongside new administrative offices and modern sanitary facilities.
Investing in the Digital Generation
The project includes three large classrooms, featuring a pioneering "Future Classroom" designed for digital learning. To bring this vision to life and provide students with the tools they need,we are currently seeking partners to support the funding of the required PCs.
Sustainability in Action
The school is being constructed using innovative TwistBlocks, manufactured locally at our Sam Owori Skilling Hub in Tororo. This approach ensures that the impact goes beyond the classroom, creating local jobs and fostering expertise.
Through this commitment, PERI reaffirms the mission to drive real social progress worldwide through sustainable and innovative construction solutions.
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January/February 2026 - Kidera Up Close: Our Social Media Campaign is Live!
Since late December 2025, we have been taking our community on a special journey. To provide you with more direct insights into our daily work and local projects, we have officially launched our expanded social media presence.
What to Expect: Several times a week, we share exclusive Posts, Reels, and Stories that go far beyond simple facts.
Join us to discover:
Real-time updates on our ongoing activities and milestones
Personal stories from the people of Kidera
Behind-the-scenes looks at our team’s efforts on the ground
Become part of our digital community and experience the heart of Kidera like never before.
We look forward to connecting with you!
left: VP Jessica Alupo, right: Prince Joseph, Doris Steinmüller-Nethl, HRH Kwar Adhola, VP Jessica Alupo, Judith Köck
December 2025 -Uganda Update!
Projects are thriving after Doris, Judith, and Helga’s visit (Dec 13–22). It was a week of incredible milestones:
Empowerment: Productive workshops were held with women’s groups and teachers in Kidera Village.
Healthcare Impact: We successfully organised a 2-day Health Camp at Panyangasi HCIII in partnership with Hope Missionary Hospital. A total of 715 patients sought treatment for different ailments.
Innovation: We successfully presented the new solar water pump irrigation system at the Green Farm Future project (Kidera Primary School Model Farm).
The standout moment was the Dec 18th ribbon-cutting for the Sam Owori Skilling Hub in Tororo (SOSHTO) with Her Excellency theVice President of Uganda, Maj. (Rtd.) Jessica Alupo and His Royal Highness Kwar Adhola, Moses Stephen Owor.
A big step into the future for Kidera and Tororo.
Check out our daily travel diary here.
from left: Judith Köck, Claudia Plakolm, Doris Steinmüller-Nethl, Alfred Fiedler
November 2025 - Visit to Federal Minister Ms Claudia Plakolm
As part of Rotary Austria's 100th anniversary celebrations, Doris and Judith had the honour of presenting the Sam Owori Projects – representing many Rotary projects – to Minister Claudia Plakolm (Minister for Europe, Integration and Family Affairs) on 4.11.2025. It was a great privilege for the team.
The Sam Owori Projects, named after the second African president of Rotary International, represent the bridge between Austria - Europe - Africa.
What Hugo Portisch said in 2017: ‘If you want to save Europe, you have to save Africa,’ is more true today than ever before. It is projected that the world will have over 200 million climate refugees in the next 30 years, with a significant portion expected to originate from Africa, often migrating towards Europe.
Projects like ours, focusing on self-help and sustainable local development, are essential to address the root causes of forced migration.
Rotarian Friedrich Rockenbauer handed over 7 laptops for IT education.
September 2025 - Support by Daedalean
Friedrich Rockenbauer of the Rotary Club Gmunden (District 1920, Austria), through the company Daedalean, has donated seven laptops for the Kidera Project. This donation marks the next step in establishing the first "IT class" at Kidera Primary School.
IT and digital education are crucial for people in rural Uganda because they provide access to a world of information and skills, bridging the gap to modern employment and economic opportunities that are otherwise scarce.
Lukas Kaufmann handed over his jerseys to Philipp Steinmüller.
August 2025 - Support by Lukas Kaufmann
Lukas Kaufmann, is an extreme endurance cyclist from Austria. He finished in second place in his debut appearance at the Race across America (RAAM) 2024, completing the nearly 5,000-kilometer race in 8 days, 23 hours, and 12 minutes. This was one of the fastest finishing times in the history of the race. He was again the prospective second-place finisher of RAAM 2025.
He is supporting the Sam Owori projects by donating his jerseys/dresses worn at the RAAM and further equipment (helmets, etc.), which will be auctioned off during the Rotary District Conference of District 9213 in Entebbe in April 2026.
In addition, this will raise the profile of cycling, which is also developing as a sport in Uganda (with athletes such as Charles Kagimu and Florence Nakagwa).
April 2025 - Together in Uganda
In April 2025, we had the opportunity to visit the community and its people in Kidera and Tororo, together with friends and supporters from Germany and Austria. It was a deeply moving experience to present the projects in person and connect directly with the communities.
The trip could be followed live on Instagram. Here are a few impressions.
After months, two containers with relief supplies arrived
In February 2024, we were given the opportunity to fill two containers with relief supplies from the Medical University of Innsbruck, the St. Johann District Hospital and many private donors. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone once again.
An adventure began – and in April 2025, the many relief supplies were finally handed over to the people. Here is a short travel report.
Medical University of Innsbruck published their story: From medical school to the classroom