Health
Ugandan Legislators applaud MakSPH for Road Safety & Injuries Research
Members of Parliament under the Parliamentary Forum on Road Safety (PAFROS) have commended research efforts by the Makerere University School of Public Health’s Trauma and Disability Unit (TRIAD) for its leadership in injury and prevention research. The legislators signed a commitment to support all efforts aimed at improving road safety in Uganda.
The legislators said this while at an engagement meeting with researchers at MakSPH that took place on Thursday 17th February 2022 at Sheraton Hotel. In a well-attended session, the research team shared evidence from a number of publications that have influenced policy, and over 10-11 years, and the several achievements the School has achieved in collaboration with partners both national and international.
The 2014 WHO Global Health Estimates show high burden of injuries with over five million people dying of injuries every year. Mr. Frederick Oporia, a PhD fellow says nearly every six seconds, someone dies from an injury leaving over 50 million people with disabilities.
Despite this, there is insufficient research capacity to drive prevention and management of these injuries which makes multidisciplinary approach in handling multidisciplinary nature of injuries.
TRIAD’s main objective is to contribute to the reduction of injury burden in Uganda by strengthening research capacity on injuries and their medical, social and economic consequences both at Individual, community and National level.
There are various kinds of injuries that range from being intentional and non-intentional. Some of these include violence, burns, poisoning, drowning, falls and road traffic crashes. In all these injuries, road traffic contributes the highest burden 24% hence a big problem.
Currently, TRIAD focuses on mobility, Road Traffic Injury prevention, drowning prevention, childhood injury prevention and emergency Trauma Care and emergency medical services.
“When we compare HIV, tuberculosis and Malaria rates, we see that injuries alone almost double what these other Disease claim and it’s a problem we need to tackle,” says Oporia.
Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seeks to ensure health and well-being for all, at every stage of life. Equally so, the UN Decade of Action included road safety in the framework of Sustainable Development Goals with an ambition to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 2020.
The 2011-2020 decade of action for road safety was premised on five pillars that included road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash response.
However, trends analysis in the Uganda Police Reports show that Uganda instead increased road traffic crashes. The SDG Goal 11 that commits UN member States to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable ambitiously states that by 2030, the member states should be able to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
The Road safety performance review report of 2018 show that Uganda’s road safety management is managed in the Ministry of Works and Transport under the Directorate of Road Transport. Some of the road transport legislations include, the Traffic and Road Safety Act (Amended) 2020, the Uganda National Roads Authority Act, 2006, the Uganda Road Fund Act, 2008, the National Road Safety Policy, 2014 and the Non-Motorized Transport policy, 2012.
Speaking to the legislators, Esther Bayiga Zziwa, a PhD fellow at MakSPH’s TRIAD unit says however that Uganda has legislative gaps in majority of the risk factors for instance, while Uganda has national drink-driving law in place, and drink – driving based on Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or equivalent breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), the BAC limit for the general population is way higher than the global standard. The global standard is at below 5 gram per blood liter. However, in Uganda, the law puts it at 7 gram per blood liter which is high. Ms. Bayiga says there is a need to handle this back to the global level.
Uganda has a national motorcycle helmet law in place which applies to motorcycle drivers and adult passengers and to all road types an engine type. However, the law does not require helmets to be properly fastened as well as meet the national and or international standards.
“Helmets standards for motorcyclists put up by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) need to make sure that those ones on market meet the standards and if you are found wearing a fake helmet, you are not better off than one not wearing any because in case of a crash, it will damage your head instead of protecting it, and people need to fasten their Helmets for better effectiveness,” says Bayiga.
Research on road safety has found that behaviour interventions area not as effective as environmental, legislative and enforcement actions. Bayiga says the Behavioural component alone cannot be effective. She recommends a multipronged approach that includes bbehavioural, environmental modification, enforcement and legislation in road safety regulation.
Uganda lacks a national child restraint law based on age, weight, height or a combination of these factors that would restrict children under a certain age-height from sitting in the front seat.
“In Uganda, even here in Kampala, those who can afford cars do not buy child safety seats for their babies and the children are carried by other adults and do not have a seat on their own. However, in case of a clash, those are the first ones that fall off the car because of their body mass and can’t survive with the normal seat,” Bayiga says.
According to Bayiga, other countries have the regulations but; “Our law does not take account any with regarding children, and probably some people think cannot afford, but this can not be compared to the lives and value of children, they too need safe seat because every life matters and a law should be put in place to address this.”
Hon. Linda Irene Mugisa, the Fort portal City Woman MP and member of the Road Safety Forum acknowledges the role of legislators to make laws and policies that would protect Ugandans.
“We have a big role of sensitizing the masses. Right now, we have very many youths who are earning income through riding boda-bodas. And the unfortunate part of this is that most of these youths have not gone through training and most of them are riding illegally because some cannot afford the driving permits. As members of parliament we feel we should advocate for the reduction in the amount of money a rider requires in order to acquire a driving permit,” says Hon. Linda.
Juliet Bashiisha Agasha, the Woman MP for Mitooma District said she was impressed by the dialogue and was excited to learn that indeed, the Trauma, Injury and Disability Unit at Makerere University School of Public Health was the only unit in Uganda that focuses on research of injury and prevention.
According to Hon. Agasha, there are many unqualified drivers on Uganda’s road who commit a lot of traffic offenses and sometimes walk away without punishment due to lack of monitoring systems. She also says most drivers lack good training and that some simply acquire driving permits without ever going to the driving schools.
“If we can have the measures that can monitor whoever makes a mistake, and then they charge accordingly, I know as Ugandans, we fear fines very much. The moment they fine you today, I don’t think tomorrow you can repeat the same mistake,” says Hon. Agasha.
She advocates for more cameras to track traffic crimes in order to improve road safety. “In fact, you find someone who is driving without a seatbelt and when he senses a traffic person, that is when he remembers that seatbelts are supposed to be used. So there is a lot of effort that we have to put in in order to reduce on road accidents especially on these motorcycles. You find a big group of motorcycles driving when there are red lights and they don’t mind whether there is red or green for them they keep moving. But if they can be controlled or sensitized about dangers of a vehicle that coming from a different direction, I believe we can reduce on the road accidents,” says Hon. Agasha.
The MP for Iki-Iki County in Budaka district, Robert Kasolo agrees that using technology in enforcement of traffic order is the way to go. He expresses concern that cameras in Uganda are largely not for road traffic law enforcement but for security reasons. “But I think that would be the ideal situation. In developed countries, cameras are part of the gadgets for enforcing traffic laws. We need to move in that direction. Policemen cannot be everywhere. But a camera can record a wider area and can be a source of evidence,” says Hon. Kasolo, who also doubles as Vice Chairperson of the Physical Infrastructure Committee of Parliament.
Tonny Ayo, the Member of Parliament for Kwania County, and Vice chairperson Parliamentary committee on Road Safety wants the Uganda Police Traffic department to begin to use the cameras both within the cities and high ways to bring drivers to book.
“One of our concerns of ensuring that people follow the traffic regulations and laws is that government put in place the cameras on streets and highways and we have spent money on this and the purpose was not only to deal with crime and terrorism but one of them was enforcement of traffic rules and regulations which unfortunately as a Forum as parliament and a public are wondering why government cannot come up to enforce this,” says Hon. Ayo.
He opines that; “When you drive along highways and roads within Kampala, the reckless driving of high speed, the bad overtaking, we expected that cameras could take stock of what is happening. We are calling on government to move in to ask police to begin to use these cameras to enforce the laws.”
According to Hon. Ayo, using video and pictorial evidence from the cameras, government will go a long way in collecting huge non-tax revenue through fines of traffic offenders.
“If we do this consistently for 6 months, then we are going to see discipline by the motorist in in this country and I think by the decade plan of action we were supposed to have reduced road crashes and injuries in the country by half by 2020. Now we are in 2022, and instead of reducing, the crashes and injuries have increased. That means now we need to act because we have noticed that sensitization and talking to people,” says Hon. Ayo.
Dr. Olive Chifefe Kobusingye, an accident & emergency surgeon, injury epidemiologist at MakSPH says TRIAD’s biggest concern is road safety and accessible for all road users. She ads that this can be achieved through good road designs.
“Designing for all road users not just for motorists. Making sure that there is space to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and accommodate those that are using wheel chairs for instance and to pay attention to the size of the population so that we in the design cater for heavy pedestrian presence, those spaces are adequate for them,” says Dr. Kobusingye.
In addition to the design, Dr. Kobusingye also agrees with the legislators on the need to increase enforcement of traffic regulations in Uganda to ensure road safety.
“There are areas where we need to enforce for instance where there is limited access to motorized traffic. These are all provided for in the non-motorized transport policy. So, the implementation of that policy is key to ensuring that transportation is safe, its accessible, its affordable and that its equitable that we do not prioritize certain types of road users over others,” Dr. Kobusingye observes.
As the funding to the higher education sector keeps on reducing due to competing priorities, universities are implored to come up with structures and strategies to attract and win research grants.
Key findings indicate that universities with institutionalized grant management offices, strong and coordinated research teams are better positioned to effectively compete for grants.
Makerere University, in partnership with Northwestern University, is spearheading the E-SMAC G11 Grants Administration and Management workshop from 14th to 17th July 2025, aimed at strengthening grant management offices and systems among the participating universities and entities.
It is envisioned that through this capacity building approach, the workshop which brings onboard over 130 participants from different universities and entities, will address the knowledge and skills gaps among faculty, grant managers, administrators and support staff.
The participating universities and entities include: Makerere University, Uganda Christian University-Mukono, Soroti University, Gulu University, Clarke International University, King Ceasor University, Kyambogo University, Muni University, Mother Kevin University, Uganda Martyrs’ University-Nkozi, Ernest Cook University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, University of Kisubi, Kabale University, Busitema University, BRAC University, Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Health, and among others.
Makerere University and Northwestern University have built a strong partnership over the past decade through academic exchange, collaborative research, and capacity building initiatives. “Since 2020, the institutions have deepened their collaboration in research administration through the UASP fellowship, sharing best practices and co-developing of sustainable systems to strengthen research management,” said Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Head of Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) at Makerere University.
She informed the participants that Northwestern University has been instrumental in building the capacity of staff at Makerere University in grants writing, management and administration.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza testified that when she was appointed to head GAMSU, she received comprehensive training from Northwestern University, which enhanced her competences and expertise in the field. She acknowledged Kate Klein from Northwestern University for the mentorship that empowered her with valuable knowledge and skills. She reported that five (5) members of staff from Makerere University had been trained by Northwestern University in grants and research management.
Filled with joy, she introduced the team of experts from Northwestern University namely Kate Klein, Bethany Ekesa and Elizabeth Christian to Makerere University, and applauded them for accepting to be facilitators. Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza assured the workshop participants that the team from Northwestern University would not only train them, but would share best practices in grants management and administration as well as networking opportunities.
The training workshop is part of the Expanded Strengthening of Makerere University’s Research Administration Capacity (E-SMAC) program, which focuses on enhancing research administrative systems and staff capacity at Makerere University and its partner institutions. Mordecai Tayebwa is the Program Director and Principal Investigator of the E-SMAC program being implemented from July 2024 to December 2025. The program is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The workshop provides a platform to build faculty, grant managers and administrators capacity in grant writing and management, foster cross-functional collaboration across departments, strengthen understanding of budget creation, biosketch and funder systems, encourage mentorship and peer to peer learning, and lay a foundation for regular support.
The training tackles four broader themes namely Grants Introduction and Systems, Proposal Development, Capacity Building, and Outcomes and Forward Planning. It covers vital areas such as grant writing, budgeting, funder systems, compliance, and overall grant administration. It features practical sessions, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative learning, with the goal of strengthening pre-award and post-award grant management and improving research productivity and compliance.
Opening the workshop, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) at Makerere University, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta urged universities to institutionalize grant management offices and policies as well as strengthening research systems through collaborations.
Sharing his experience, Prof. Ireeta informed the participants that he was involved in the strategic discussion that led to the establishment of GAMSU at Makerere University. “We observed that Makerere University School of Public Health had established a grants office, which was instrumental in attracting and winning funds for research. We were inspired by this best practice. Thus, a comprehensive policy was developed to streamline and strengthen grants management across all colleges at the University,” he said.
Prof. Ireeta noted that Makerere University commits to being a research-driven institution, a strategic direction, that needs a strong funding base. ‘Research grants are therefore a key resource,” he said.
Stressing the importance of adhering to the technical details in the grants management processes, Prof. Ireeta appealed to the participants to be active listeners and maximally utilize the moment to learn from the experienced facilitators.
In the same vein, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza, applauded the University Council and Management for the strategic direction undertaken to elevate GAMSU from a Unit to a Directorate. This points to the central role of the grants office in the life cycle of Makerere University. She pointed out that GAMSU reports to the Vice Chancellor through the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration).
Established by the University Council in 2020, GAMSU is a central office at Makerere University. It provides professional and coordinated services across the entire grant life-cycle-from identifying funding and developing proposals to ensuring compliance, project execution, financial oversight, and institutional capacity building. GAMSU works closely with academic and administrative staff to support competitive, well-managed and accountable research.
Focusing on the training workshop, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza called upon the participants to utilize the golden opportunity to deepen their understanding of grants management in advancing research. She acknowledged the role of this collaboration in fostering mutual learning and the sharing of best practices, noting that such initiatives were key in ensuring that research conducted by universities aligns with global standards. She encouraged participants to engage fully in the workshop, collaborate with their peers, and build lasting connections to foster continuous learning.
The Administrative Director of the Havey Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University, Kate Klein, noted that grants administration goes beyond securing funding. She explained that grant administration is about building strong, sustainable systems that support researchers, facilitate collaboration, and ultimately contribute to solving global challenges.
Klein stated that grants administration and management require continuous learning, adaptability, and a strong foundation in regulatory and financial oversight.
“Collaborating and learning from one another is essential,” Klein stated. “When grants administration is effectively managed, it becomes a powerful catalyst for driving impactful change in research, ultimately advancing global initiatives that address the world’s most pressing challenges.”
She urged participants to critically analyze their current systems and identify areas where improvements could be made. By doing so, they would be better positioned to manage grants effectively and maximize their impact. She guided that a research grants administrator should be able to design monitoring frameworks, liaising with funders to address grant-specific issues, coordinating compliance, budgeting and reporting to ensure timely and effective implementation.
Presenting the Existing Support Systems and Principal Investigator (PI) agreements, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza pointed out the critical role of GAMSU in maximizing Makerere University’s access to grants. This is particularly important in the context of limited financial resources, where GAMSU ensures that the university effectively leverages available funding opportunities.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza explained that GAMSU ensures research projects align with the priorities of funders and comply with both institutional and external regulations. She emphasized that this alignment is essential for securing and managing grants successfully. She stated that oversight offered by GAMSU, helps streamline the process for researchers. She pointed out that grant management is a collaborative process, involving multiple stakeholders across the university, which ensures that the necessary expertise and support are in place to manage grants effectively.
Underscoring the importance of grant negotiations, particularly with sub-award grants, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza clarified that such negotiations are most successful when managed at the institutional level, where GAMSU oversees the entire lifecycle of a grant-from identifying funding opportunities to post-award activities.
Harriet Nambooze, the Project Coordinator at Makerere University School of Health Sciences, provided participants with a detailed guide on navigating the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant application process. She introduced essential tools such as Grants.gov, eRA Commons, SAM.gov and the NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE), which are critical for applying and receiving an NIH award.
Nambooze stressed the importance of accurately setting up roles in the eRA Commons system, including Signing Official (SO), Principal Investigator (PI), Account Administrator (AA), and Administrative Official (AO), as well as ensuring that profiles are up-to-date across various systems.
She highlighted the necessity of adhering to NIH’s strict submission deadlines and maintaining active individual and institutional profiles to facilitate timely applications. She recommended that institutions should appoint multiple Signing Officials (SOs), to avoid any delays with the required submissions.
Presenting to the participants, Mordecai Tayebwa shared a detailed, step-by-step guide to starting a new grant application. He explained the key elements of the grant process, including the necessity of including a budget, adhering to specific formatting guidelines, and uploading required documents, such as the foreign justification for international projects.
He pointed out the need of thoroughly verifying the application before submission to ascertain that all required documents are included. “This step is crucial to avoid errors that could delay or jeopardize the submission,” he said.
The first day of the workshop set a strong foundation for enhancing grant administration capacity among the participating universities. Participants were equipped with knowledge and skills in grant systems at the national and global levels.
Day two, will focus on topics such as reading funding opportunity announcements, tailoring writing, budget development and justification, sub-contract management, sub-recipient monitoring, and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
On Day three, the participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Grants Office, financial management, internal controls and reporting, peer review process overview and project closeout.
On Day four, the participants will witness the launch of the MakGAP (Makerere University Grants Professional Initiative), listen to a keynote speech on grants management from the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, as well as presentations on professional growth through MakGAP, CRA Exam, and Global Research Administration Networks, and professional recognition of research managers and administrators in Africa and post evaluation.
The first day of the workshop set a strong foundation for enhancing grant administration capacity among the participating universities. Participants were equipped with knowledge and skills in grant systems at the national and global levels.
Day two, will focus on topics such as reading funding opportunity announcements, tailoring writing, budget development and justification, sub-contract management, sub-recipient monitoring, and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
On Day three, the participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Grants Office, financial management, internal controls and reporting, peer review process overview and project closeout.
On Day four, the participants will witness the launch of the MakGAP (Makerere University Grants Professional Initiative), listen to a keynote speech on grants management from the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, as well as presentations on professional growth through MakGAP, CRA Exam, and Global Research Administration Networks, and professional recognition of research managers and administrators in Africa and post evaluation.
Based on research led by Max Bobholz and colleagues from Makerere University in Uganda, Essentia Institute of Rural Health, and the Medical College of Wisconsin in the United States.
Adolescence is meant to be a time of holistic growth and self-discovery, but for many Ugandan teenagers, this period is becoming a season of silent mental health struggles. A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health has uncovered a silent but growing crisis: nearly one in five Ugandan secondary school students in the study areas have signs of an emotional disorder. These conditions included anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and adjustment disorders often involving excessive worry, sadness, fear, or mood instability. Also, one in 20 adolescents exhibited behavioral issues ranging from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder to substance use and other risky behaviors like alcohol use.
The study, led by Max Bobholz, a PhD candidate in Public and Community Health at the Medical College of Wisconsin, surveyed a sample of 1,953 students aged 10 to 18 years enrolled in eight secondary schools in Iganga district in Eastern Uganda and Mukono district in Central Uganda. This was one of the most comprehensive efforts yet to understand the prevalence and drivers of mental health challenges among school-going Ugandan adolescents.
“We are looking at a generation facing a complex blend of stressors, namely, academic, social, and emotional,” says Bobholz. “Our findings show that certain groups are especially vulnerable, and schools need to be equipped to respond.”
This study results, published on June 12, 2025 was funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), a government agency of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, through the Makerere University Postdoctoral Fellowship to one of the investigators, Dr. Catherine Abbo. Other researchers included Julia Dickson-Gomez, Arthur Kiconco, Abdul R. Shour, Simon Kasasa, Laura D. Cassidy, and Ronald Anguzu.
According to the study, girls bear a higher emotional burden. Researchers found that female students had nearly two times higher odds of suffering from emotional disorders such as anxiety or depression than their male peers.
Dr. Catherine Abbo, an Adolescent Psychiatrist and Associate Professor at Makerere University, attributes this to both biological and socio-cultural factors. “Puberty brings hormonal shifts that can heighten emotional sensitivity,” she explains. “But just as importantly, Ugandan girls often face intense pressure to conform to gender roles while also navigating issues like body image, harassment, and future uncertainty.” The researchers are calling for gender-sensitive mental health interventions, particularly in schools, where early support could help mitigate long-term mental health issues.
Higher associations in older teens?
Age also emerged as a key associated factor, with each additional year increasing the odds of behavioral disorders by 20%. “As adolescents grow older, they are more prone to risk-taking, impulsivity, and resistance to authority,” explains Dr. Simon Kasasa, a senior lecturer and biostatistician at Makerere University School of Public Health.
“Combine that with academic pressure and identity-related stress, and it’s no surprise we’re seeing more conduct issues in late adolescence,” Dr. Ronald Anguzu, an Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity at the Medical College of Wisconsin, added. This study raises critical questions about whether and how Ugandan secondary schools support older students as they transition toward adulthood.
The unseen influence of family mental health
The study also found that adolescents with a family history of mental illness had twice the odds of exhibiting behavioral problems compared to those without such a history.
“This speaks to the intersection of genetics and environment,” says Bobholz. “Living in a household with people affected by mental illness can mean instability, stigma, and lack of emotional support, all of which weigh heavily on a developing mind.”
The authors recommend that school mental health screening include family mental health history and advocate for greater collaboration between education and health sectors to support at-risk households.
Private schools: High marks, higher stress?
Interestingly, students in private schools had 1.4 times the odds of experiencing emotional disorders compared to those in public schools. Private schools, often seen as academic havens, may inadvertently be cultivating high-pressure environments. “There’s an assumption that better facilities mean better well-being,” says Dr. Abbo. “But intense academic competition, social isolation, and a lack of trained counselors can create emotional pressure cookers.”
Previous research in 47 secondary schools across five districts (Rakai, Kyotera, Masaka, Lwengo, and Kalungu) in southwestern Uganda found that economic and family support helped reduce absenteeism among adolescent girls in secondary schools. However, this support did not significantly improve behavior or reduce grade repetition. The region, which includes districts like Rakai and Masaka, also faces a higher burden of HIV, adding to the challenges young people experience.
Meanwhile, a review of data from 42 primary schools in Luwero District identified school-based mental health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindset-building approaches as being particularly effective. Researchers now suggest that integrating these strategies, along with efforts to reduce school violence, could go a long way in improving the mental health of Ugandan adolescents.
A-Level pressure: Academic ambition meets mental health strain
The study also found a correlation between advanced (A’level) education and increased risk of emotional disorders. “We selected one school district from each region based on population and past academic performance. As these students prepare for university or the job market, the pressure to succeed becomes enormous,” says Kasasa. “They’re facing a future full of uncertainty, with very little structured mental health support to help them cope.”
A wake-up call for Uganda’s education and health systems
The authors of this study assert the urgent need for school-based mental health programs, especially in private and A-level institutions. These programs should offer routine screening, emotional support, and training for teachers to recognize warning signs of mental health disorders.
Importantly, this study adds weight to calls for a national adolescent mental health policy, tailored to Uganda’s context, with interventions that bridge health, education, and social services.
“Our data shows that mental health challenges are not a fringe issue,” says Bobholz. “They are widespread, significant, and deeply tied to school, home, and society.”
The COVID-19 school closures between 2020 and 2022 deepened feelings of isolation and financial strain, with out-of-school adolescents reporting depression rates as high as 21.5% to 50% higher than their peers who remained in class, according to research published in February 2025. Yet Uganda invests less than 1% of its health budget in mental health, with just one psychiatrist per million people, leaving many teens to cope through cheap alcohol used by 28% of urban youth or untrained healers, as reported by the government paper The New Vision in April 2025. With only 26% of students completing lower secondary school and 35% of the population under age 24, these mental health challenges now pose a serious threat to the country’s future.
Mercy Akankunda of Proven Foundation, a Ugandan NGO supporting vulnerable groups, warns that mental health struggles are quietly eroding the well-being of the country’s youth, over 12 million strong and making up 35% of the population. “These teens are not just statistics. They are the future of Uganda, she asserts. If Uganda hopes to reap the dividends of its young population, addressing adolescent mental health must become and remain a national priority, not just for treatment, but for prevention, resilience, and hope.
Reference:
Bobholz, M., Dickson-Gomez, J., Abbo, C., Kiconco, A., Shour, A.R., Kasasa, S., Cassidy, L.D., & Anguzu, R. (2025). Correlates of behavioral and emotional disorders among school-going adolescents in Uganda. PLOS Global Public Health. Read the study here
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