A growing mental health crisis is gripping Uganda’s schoolchildren, with rising substance use, emotional distress, and psychological disorders alarming researchers, educationists, and public health officials.
Experts warn that urgent interventions are needed to protect the wellbeing and future of the country’s young generation.
Recent research presented by Harriet Aber Odonga from Makerere University’s School of Public Health during the pre-1st National Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort highlights troubling trends.
The study reveals that 7.4% of children aged 5 to 8 in Eastern Uganda show signs of alcohol dependence, while one in four children aged 6 to 17 in Mbale District have used substances such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other locally available drugs.
“Early exposure to these substances is no longer limited to adolescents,” Odonga said. “We are seeing substance use beginning in early childhood, which is directly linked to behavioural problems, poor academic performance, and long-term mental health complications.”
She warned that such early substance use contributes to rising depression, anxiety, and aggression, conditions often going unnoticed or untreated in schools.
Odonga called for urgent integration of mental health education and counseling services, emphasizing that ignoring these warning signs risks “losing an entire generation to substance dependence and emotional instability.”
Justice Duncan Gaswaga, a vocal advocate for youth mental health, cited Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) data showing 90,530 mental health cases among students between July 2024 and June 2025, representing a 12.2% increase compared to the previous year.
“These figures are not just numbers; they represent real children struggling silently,” Gaswaga said.
He noted that academic stress, family breakdowns, peer pressure, and drug use are major contributing factors, warning that the crisis could affect Uganda’s future workforce and social stability.
Ministry of Education and Sports officials have acknowledged the urgency of addressing mental health among both learners and teachers.
Senior education officer Rabbeca Namakula highlighted the link between teachers’ wellbeing and classroom environments.
“When the headteacher is not okay, the stress trickles down to the teacher, and from the teacher to the learner,” she said.
The Ministry is reportedly developing capacity-building programs to help teachers manage their mental health and support students in distress.
Public health experts say the problem extends beyond schools and requires a multisectoral approach. Findings indicate that 17.6% of children in Ugandan schools are battling depressive disorders, yet access to mental health care is limited, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas.
Dr. Samuel Kaggwa, a child psychologist at Mulago Hospital, noted, “There’s a dangerous gap between the rising demand for mental health services and the availability of trained professionals. Many schools have no counselors, and teachers often lack the training to identify or handle students with psychological issues.”
Experts are urging the Ministry of Health, education authorities, and development partners to prioritize mental health in the national education and public health agenda.
Recommendations include integrating mental health education into curricula, strengthening counseling and peer support programs, conducting awareness campaigns for parents and learners, and expanding community-based prevention and rehabilitation initiatives.