A growing mental health crisis is emerging in Uganda’s refugee-hosting West Nile region, where multiple suicide cases have been reported in recent months.
The latest incident involved a 45-year-old South Sudanese refugee, Abdala Lucky, who was found dead by hanging in Village 06, Zone 03 of Bidibidi Settlement, Yumbe District.
According to records from Kululu Police Station, Abdala, a father and husband, reportedly took his life shortly after a domestic dispute with his wife, Nora Jokudu.
She found his lifeless body hanging from a tree outside their home after checking through a window.
Regional police spokesperson Asea Collins confirmed the incident, noting that officers responded promptly, documented the scene, and handed over the body to the family for burial.
Preliminary findings suggest Abdala may have been struggling with personal issues, including heavy alcohol use, which could have contributed to his emotional distress.
His death is not an isolated case. Local leaders and aid workers are warning of a rising number of suicides among refugees in settlements such as Bidibidi, Imvepi, and Rhino Camp.
The surge is being attributed to worsening living conditions, particularly reduced food rations and cuts in humanitarian assistance.
“We are seeing more cases like this. The cuts in food rations, coupled with rising costs of living and limited economic opportunities, are pushing people over the edge,” said social worker Markutum Hassan.
Since mid-2023, several international development partners have scaled down operations due to global funding constraints.
This has led to reductions in monthly food supplies and access to essential services, placing immense pressure on already vulnerable communities.
Efforts to promote refugee self-reliance through farming and entrepreneurship have been hampered by lack of access to land, limited startup capital, and unpredictable weather.
While awareness campaigns around mental health have increased, stigma and limited access to professional care continue to undermine progress.
Mental health advocates are calling for urgent, coordinated intervention to address the root causes of the crisis.
“This is a silent emergency. Without meaningful support, we risk losing more lives,” said Prim Nesa, a mental health advocate.
With over 1.5 million refugees currently hosted in Uganda, including many fleeing protracted conflicts in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, aid groups are urging both the Ugandan government and international donors to reconsider their funding strategies.
As investigations into Abdala Lucky’s death continue, his case has become a tragic reminder of the invisible toll of displacement, and the critical need for both immediate and long-term support to protect refugee lives.