May is Youth Service Month

May is Rotary Youth Service Month

Empowering young people through leadership, mentorship, service and peacebuilding.

Every year, the month of May is observed by Rotary International as Youth Service Month. The purpose is to place special emphasis on empowering young people through leadership development, mentorship, education, service, peacebuilding, and professional growth.

Rotary’s engagement with young people dates back more than a century. In the 1920s, Rotary clubs were already organizing youth-focused initiatives such as “Boys’ Week”, leadership activities, and mentorship programs.

Over time, these evolved into structured youth programs such as:

  • Interact Clubs
  • Rotaract Clubs
  • Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
  • Rotary Youth Exchange
  • Peace and leadership initiatives for young professionals

Rotary later formalized Youth Service as the Fifth Avenue of Service, recognizing that investing in young people is essential for sustainable community transformation.

May was therefore designated as Youth Service Month so that Rotary clubs worldwide could intentionally:

  • Celebrate young leaders
  • Showcase youth-led impact
  • Recruit and mentor future leaders
  • Strengthen youth programs

Today, Rotary reports that more than 350,000 young people globally participate in its youth programs annually through Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, and Youth Exchange initiatives.

(Source: Rotary International Youth Programs Reports)

Rotaract Around the World

Rotaract has grown into one of Rotary International’s strongest global movements for young leaders and professionals.

10,000+
Rotaract Clubs Globally
200,000+
Rotaractors Worldwide

(Source: Rotary Zones 26 & 27 Rotaract Statistics)

Some newer Rotary publications indicate figures exceeding 54,000 clubs globally, although these broader figures sometimes combine multiple Rotary-affiliated youth and community club categories and reporting structures.

The State of Youth in Uganda

Uganda is one of the youngest countries in the world. A very large share of the population is below the age of 30, making youth both Uganda’s greatest opportunity and one of its greatest policy challenges.

  • Over 70% of Ugandans are below age 30
  • Uganda has one of the world’s highest population growth rates
  • Hundreds of thousands of young people enter the labour market every year

(Source: UBOS, World Bank, National Planning Authority – Uganda)

Rotaract in Uganda

Uganda is considered one of the strongest Rotaract countries in Africa, with a vibrant youth membership base and active community engagement.

240+
Rotaract Clubs Nationwide
5,000+
Rotaractors Nationwide

(Source: District 9213 and District 9214 published reports)

Rotary District 9213

District 9213 is currently one of the most active Rotary and Rotaract districts in Uganda.

134
Rotaract Clubs
3,173+
Rotaractors

(Source: Rotary District 9213 Reports, 2025)

Investing in youth today secures a stronger Rotary tomorrow.