On behalf of the Youth Directorate of the Rotaract Club of Upper Kololo, I am excited to share highlights from the recently concluded Interact Day Celebrations, graciously hosted by the Mothered Interact Club of Uganda Martyrs Seconadry School Namugongo. Themed “Rising Above Addiction and Depression”, this powerful event brought together young minds and Rotary family members to ignite conversation and inspire action around mental health and youth empowerment.
Held at Uganda Martyrs Secondary School Namugongo, the celebration was a vibrant gathering, attended by several Interact Clubs from over 20 Secondary schools including Mt St Mary’s Namagunga, Namilyango Collage, Kings College Budo, Seeta High School, Gayaza High School, , among others. We were also proud to see strong representation from our very own Rotaractors and Rotarians of Upper Kololo standing in solidarity with the future leaders of our movement.
The event featured deeply enriching sessions from a dynamic line-up of speakers:
Mrs. Sarah Mirembe Byamukama, a clinical psychologist, offered practical guidance on recognizing and managing depression, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and building supportive networks.
Mr. Namanya Joseph, a brave and candid former drug addict, moved the entire audience with his powerful testimony of transformation and resilience. His journey served as a beacon of hope to many young people navigating personal battles.
Rtn Annette Kezaabu, unpacked the role of education and self-awareness in curbing addiction and enhancing mental health literacy among students.
President Elect – Filbert Kinyanda, delivered a stirring keynote address on the importance of mentorship, self-leadership, and the Rotary family’s role in nurturing mentally strong youth.
The event was crowned with a vote of thanks from the Guest of Honor, who applauded the Interact Club’s dedication to creating platforms for youth dialogue. The day closed on a celebratory note with a final toast led by the Headteacher of Uganda Martyrs Namugongo, symbolizing hope, resilience, and unity in the fight against addiction and depression.
Our Commitment
As the Youth Director, I left the event both humbled and inspired. The stories, discussions, and camaraderie witnessed reaffirm our duty as Rotaractors to champion mental health awareness, foster open dialogue, and create safe spaces for the youth we mentor.
To all our Interact Clubs thank you for showing up with energy, honesty, and open hearts. And to our fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors let’s continue lifting the next generation through action, compassion, and service above self.
Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.
Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do something to help Captain Planet.”
Service Above Self
Kampala,
Uganda