Recent remarks by Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita about the mental health challenges facing Uganda’s legal professionals have brought much-needed attention to an urgent issue. However, as a Psychiatrist, I must emphasize that this crisis is far more widespread, affecting nearly a quarter of our entire population.
Justice Chibita rightly highlights the pressures within the legal sector, but mental health issues are a national emergency impacting all Ugandans. Current data shows that approximately 24.2% of adults and 22.9% of children in Uganda live with some form of mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These figures come from systematic reviews and national surveys that reveal a silent epidemic affecting both urban and rural communities alike.
Depression and anxiety disorders affect about one in four Ugandans, with depression prevalence estimated at 30.2% among various populations and anxiety disorders at 22.2% among adults. PTSD is also increasingly common, especially among survivors of conflict and displacement. The Ministry of Health reports that mental disorders have surged from 24.2% before the COVID-19 pandemic to 32% afterward, with youth particularly vulnerable. A 2022 Makerere University study found that over 80% of university students exhibited symptoms of depression, driven by isolation and economic hardship.
Substance abuse further compounds this crisis. Uganda records one of Africa’s highest per capita alcohol consumption rates at 9.5 liters annually. Surveys show 28% of urban youth regularly consume alcohol, often as a coping mechanism, while cannabis and other substances are on the rise.
Despite the scale of the problem, mental health funding remains critically low. Uganda allocates less than 1% of its health budget to mental health, mostly directed to Butabika National Referral Hospital, leaving vast gaps in community and rural care.
We must act urgently and collectively. Increasing funding, integrating mental health into primary care, expanding professional support in schools, and combating stigma through public education are essential steps. Mental health is not just an individual issue—it is a societal imperative that affects productivity, social cohesion, and national development.
Addressing mental health holistically will ensure that all Ugandans—from legal professionals to youth, rural families, and urban workers—can lead healthier, more resilient lives.
Key Statistics:
Nearly 1 in 4 Ugandans live with a mental disorder (24.2% adults, 22.9% children).
Depression affects up to 30.2% of adults; anxiety disorders affect 22.2%.
Mental disorder prevalence rose from 24.2% pre-COVID to 32% post-pandemic.
28% of urban youth regularly consume alcohol; cannabis use is rising.
Less than 1% of Uganda’s health budget goes to mental health.
Author: Dr. Hillary Irimaso, President of the Uganda Association of Psychiatrists and advocate for mental health awareness and reform in Uganda.