Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about ACGMHC 2027, from submitting an abstract to taking part in Kampala.
About the Conference
What is ACGMHC 2027?
The Africa at the Centre of Global Mental Health Conference 2027 is an inaugural conference hosted by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Makerere University. It brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, service users, students, NGOs, community leaders, development partners and innovators from across Africa and the world to advance community-based and culturally grounded mental health systems.
Who is organising it?
The Organising Committee of the Africa at the Centre of Global Mental Health Conference 2027, hosted by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
When and where is it?
The conference runs 7–9 April 2027 at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Pre-conference workshops take place 5–6 April 2027.
What is the conference trying to change?
Our vision is to reposition Africa not as a passive recipient of global mental health knowledge, but as a leader in generating scalable, community-driven and contextually grounded solutions. The conference seeks to shift global mental health conversations from extractive models toward:
- African-led knowledge production
- Community-driven implementation
- Equitable partnerships
- Sustainable systems transformation
What are the conference themes?
Three major themes: Strengthening Equitable and Community-Based Mental Health Systems in Africa; Innovation, Technology and African-Led Solutions for Mental Health; and Culture, Resilience and Social Healing in African Mental Health. Explore the themes →
Who should attend?
Researchers and academics, students and trainees, mental health practitioners, psychologists and psychiatrists, counsellors and social workers, NGOs and implementation partners, government ministries and policymakers, humanitarian and refugee response actors, community organisations, service users and advocates, peer supporters and lay counsellors, youth leaders, digital innovators, funders and development partners, and faith and cultural leaders.
Submitting an Abstract
How do I submit an abstract?
Email your abstract as an attachment to africa.gmhconference@gmail.com, using the subject line shown on the Abstracts page so it reaches the right reviewers. See how to submit →
What is the deadline?
Submissions close on 16th November 2026. Authors are notified by 30 December 2026, and accepted presenters confirm by February 2027.
What formats can I submit?
Oral presentations, posters, symposia, workshops, IGNITE sessions, panels and dialogues, and community voices and storytelling sessions. Each has its own length and word limit.
What are the word limits and language?
Oral presentations, posters and IGNITE sessions: 250–300 words. Symposia, workshops and panels: 400–500 words. All submissions must be in English.
What should my abstract include?
Title; author(s) and affiliation(s); background or context; objectives; methods or approach; findings or key insights; and implications for practice, policy or research.
Do I need to be an academic researcher?
No. Service users, youth groups, community organisations, lay counsellors, advocates and frontline implementers are warmly welcome. Community impact stories, lessons learned, grassroots innovations, storytelling and lived experience are strongly encouraged.
Which format suits a student or early-career researcher?
Posters and IGNITE sessions are especially encouraged for students, trainees and early-career researchers.
How are submissions reviewed?
The Scientific Committee peer-reviews every submission for relevance to the conference themes, scientific and practical quality, innovation and originality, community relevance and impact, and equity and inclusion perspectives. Special consideration goes to African-led research and practice, community-based approaches, youth participation and lived experience contributions.
What do I need to disclose?
Submissions involving human participants should follow applicable ethical standards and institutional review processes. Please disclose funding sources, conflicts of interest and any use of generative AI tools.
How to Get Involved
Can I take part online?
Hybrid options are being explored, including virtual presentations, digital posters, session recordings and online participation. The final position will be announced later.
Will sessions be recorded?
Session recordings are being explored as part of the hybrid options. The final position will be announced later.
How do I get to the venue?
Most international delegates arrive at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s main gateway, about 1–1.5 hours by road from Makerere University. Visa, transport and accommodation details will be added to the Travel Information page as they are confirmed. Travel information →
Is there travel support or a bursary?
Limited travel support and bursaries may become available for students, early-career researchers, community representatives, and service users and advocates. Details will be announced.
What happens at the pre-conference workshops?
Two days of intensive, hands-on learning on 5–6 April 2027. Areas include:
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Groups (IPT-G)
- Foundational Helping Skills (FHS)
- Implementation science
- Supervision systems
- Grant writing
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Digital mental health tools
- Trauma-informed care
Certification may be available for selected workshops.
Are there awards?
Yes. Awards include Best Oral Presentation, Best Student Poster, Best Community Innovation, Best Youth Presentation, Excellence in Implementation Science, Community Leadership Recognition and the Lived Experience Leadership Award.
Will presentations be published?
Selected submissions may be considered for conference proceedings, policy briefs, implementation briefs, special journal issues and the inaugural African Community Mental Health Journal. Further details will be announced.
Is there a code of conduct?
Yes. Participants are expected to uphold respectful engagement, anti-harassment principles, inclusivity and equity, confidentiality where appropriate, and professional and ethical conduct. A full code of conduct will be published before the event.
How can my organisation partner with the conference?
Sponsorship tiers and in-kind partnerships are set out on the Sponsor page. View partnership options →
Who do I contact?
Send abstracts only to africa.gmhconference@gmail.com. For everything else, contact the Conference Secretariat. Contact us →
Still Have Questions?
If you could not find the answer you were looking for, the Conference Secretariat is happy to help with anything about ACGMHC 2027, from submissions and workshops to partnerships and travel.