The Nnabagereka of Buganda, Ms Sylvia Nagginda, has taken on the mantle to preach the gospel of mental health awareness in her kingdom and for the rest of the country.
Ms Nagginda on Tuesday launched the mental health awareness campaign under the Nnabagereka Development Fund at Bulange Mengo.
Running under the theme, "Shine a light illuminating mental health 2024", the campaign will cover not only in Buganda but the whole country at large.
"Let us all embrace our shared responsibility to promote mental well-being and create a society where everyone can thrive and live unburdened," Ms Nagginda.
The Nnabagereka stressed the importance of the mental health awareness campaign in raising awareness in reducing stigma and fostering communities where mental health is valued and supported.
There are about 15 million Ugandans or 35 percent of the population with mental health challengers, reports say.
At least one in three Ugandans is suffering from a certain mental issue, according to the Ministry of Health report for the year 2023.
The Nnabagereka's campaign will prioritise empathy, and compassion to the mentally sick given the fact that many victims are being stigmatised.
The campaign will be promoted under the auspices of the Nnabagereka Development Foundation with support from the World Health Organisation and other partners.
"I call upon various community leaders, educators, organisation leaders and parents and elders to take this issue seriously and foster healthy and safe spaces for everyone to heal and flourish," Ms Nagginda said.
Dr Yonas WoldeMariam, the World Health Organisation country representative, said there are a lot of challenges surrounding mental health, which the campaign will attempt to address.
