Uganda’s mental health burden continues to draw concern as experts warn that most people struggling with psychological illnesses remain untreated, with no national suicide prevention strategy in place.
Mental health advocates emphasized the urgent need for government and communities to rethink approaches to mental health.
Mr. Louis Elwa, Executive Director of Focus On Recovery Uganda (FORE) Tranquil Homes—an initiative dedicated to treatment, prevention, and recovery from addictions and other mental health challenges—revealed that 90% of mental health illnesses in Uganda remain untreated, largely due to limited resources and stigma.
“In a low-resource setting like Uganda, 90% of mental health illnesses go untreated. This is compounded by the fact that we do not have a suicide response strategy,” Elwa said.
He added that many Ugandans still perceive mental illness as weakness or disability, a mindset that prevents people from seeking help.
“The biggest driver of suicide is untreated mental illness, where people suffer in silence. This could be depression or anxiety,” he explained.
Government officials also acknowledged gaps in mental health service delivery. Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, admitted more could be done.
“As government, we have not done enough. Butabika is the main referral hospital, yet we could do more by having such hospitals in different regions,” he said.
Experts also criticized Uganda’s outdated laws on suicide. Mr. Andrew Rugasira, Chair of the Steering Committee of the LIVE Conference, highlighted the absence of a national suicide prevention policy.
“Attempted suicide is still treated as a criminal offense, yet it should be addressed through mental health support that communities truly need,” he noted.
Specialists now call for a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy, greater investment in regional mental health infrastructure, and a shift away from criminalizing mental health crises to save lives and reduce stigma.
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