{"id":8057,"date":"2025-10-22T17:06:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/?p=8057"},"modified":"2026-02-05T14:33:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:33:36","slug":"makerere-holds-public-lecture-on-mental-health-and-addiction-scholars-call-for-community-awareness-early-intervention-and-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/makerere-holds-public-lecture-on-mental-health-and-addiction-scholars-call-for-community-awareness-early-intervention-and-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Makerere Holds Public Lecture on Mental Health and Addiction: Scholars Call for Community Awareness, Early Intervention, and Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Makerere University, Kampala \u2013 October 21, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The School of Psychology under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Makerere University, held a public lecture on Tuesday to raise awareness about the growing intersection between mental health and addiction among students and young people in Uganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lecture, themed \u201cUnderstanding the Co-occurrence of Substance, Drug, and Gambling Use and Addiction with Mental Health Issues and Prevention Strategies for Schools and Communities,\u201d<\/em> brought together university students, secondary school learners, researchers, faculty, and mental health advocates from across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event held  was part of the School\u2019s ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and share research insights with communities as part of Makerere\u2019s broader mission as an \u201cengaged university.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents, Schools<\/strong> and Govt <\/strong>Urged to Curb Rising Substance Use and Gambling Among <\/strong>the Youth<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health and Control of Substance Use at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hafsa Lukwata Ssentongo, called on parents, schools, and communities to take deliberate action in addressing the growing co-occurrence of substance abuse, gambling, and mental health challenges among young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking as Chief Guest, Dr. Lukwata stressed that Uganda\u2019s youth are increasingly exposed to addictive behaviors at an early age\u2014largely due to weak family guidance, normalization of substance use, and lack of early mental health education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba speaking to the audience<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Childhood and Parenting: The Starting Point of Addiction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Lukwata underscored that most cases of substance use and gambling begin in childhood.
\u201cThe way a child is brought up\u2014the values, the examples they see, and what they are allowed to do\u2014has a lasting impact on their life decisions and coping skills,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She warned that when children grow up in homes where drinking, smoking, or gambling are normalized, they are more likely to adopt similar behaviors later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur children are growing up seeing gambling and alcohol use everywhere. It is being normalized. Parents drink openly without fear or restraint, and this shapes what young minds see as normal,\u201d Dr. Lukwata cautioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She appealed to parents to be conscious of their influence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are an influencer whether you know it or not. Children learn from what they see, not what they are told.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness: Know the Difference<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Lukwata clarified a common misconception\u2014confusing mental health with mental illness.
\u201cWe all have mental health. It is the part of your overall health that determines how you think, feel, and act,\u201d she explained.
\u201cMental illness, on the other hand, is a medical condition characterized by diagnosable disorders like depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some of the panelists of staff discussing<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She emphasized that mental health fluctuates daily and can be affected by stress, relationships, or major life events. The inability to cope with stress, she said, often drives individuals toward substance use as a form of self-medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAddiction begins when people fail to cope with the stresses of life. Instead of seeking support or healthy outlets, they turn to alcohol, cannabis, or vaping,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government\u2019s Role: Prevention, Awareness, and Regulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Lukwata revealed that the Ministry of Health is prioritizing awareness creation and prevention, targeting schools and communities to sensitize youth about the dangers of substance use.
\u201cKnowledge is power. When people know better, they make better choices,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also decried Uganda\u2019s rising alcohol consumption levels, stating that the country ranks among the highest alcohol consumers in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is shameful that we are leading Africa in alcohol consumption. This is not a statistic to be proud of,\u201d she said, adding that the revenue from alcohol taxation cannot compensate for the public health and productivity losses it causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ministry, she added, is pushing for stricter regulation, including reducing drinking hours, increasing taxes on alcoholic products, and enforcing existing laws such as the Tobacco Control Act, the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act, and the Gambling and Gaming Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe cannot allow drinking from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. the next day. That is not right. It leads to loss of productivity and broken families,\u201d she emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call to Universities and Young People<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Lukwata challenged institutions of higher learning, starting with Makerere University, to lead a youth-focused campaign against substance use and gambling<\/strong>.
\u201cUniversities are role models. If Makerere takes the lead, other universities will follow, and the ripple effect will reach high schools,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She urged students to act as ambassadors for mental health awareness, noting that early intervention can prevent addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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students in a group photo outside the main building<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cResearch shows that if someone does not use an addictive substance by age 21, their chances of ever using it drop drastically. The brain is still developing at 18\u2014there is no science supporting that as a safe age,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appeal to Families and Communities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Lukwata made an impassioned appeal to families to rebuild a culture of positive parenting and community responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFamilies, families, families\u2014this is where it all begins,\u201d she said. \u201cWe lost it somewhere along the way. Let us raise a generation that is aware, disciplined, and mentally strong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She concluded by urging the audience to become ambassadors of change, using their voices to raise awareness in schools, churches, media, and homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf even 30 percent of you here go out and talk about this, we will make progress. Let us all work together to protect the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assoc. Prof. Eric Awich Ochen: Makerere Promotes Women\u2019s Leadership and Mental Health Research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Representing the College Principal, Assoc. Prof. Eric Awich Ochen<\/strong>, the Deputy Principal of CHUSS, welcomed participants on behalf of the Principal, Prof. <\/strong>He<\/strong>len N<\/strong>ambalirwa<\/strong> Nkabala<\/strong>,<\/strong> and commended the School of Psychology for organizing the timely engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He described Makerere as Uganda\u2019s premier and most prominent university in sub-Saharan Africa, noting that its ranking and visibility continue to rise globally. \u201cMakerere University is not only the main university in Uganda but one of the most prominent in Africa and perhaps the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Assoc. Prof. Eric Awich addressing participants<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Assoc. Prof. Awich used the occasion to highlight Makerere\u2019s growing record in promoting women\u2019s leadership. \u201cI am happy to note that the biggest college in the university is led by a woman, Professor Ellen Nkabala,\u201d he said, adding that other schools under CHUSS, including the School of Languages, Literature and Communication led by Prof. Sauda<\/strong>h <\/strong>Namyalo<\/strong>,<\/strong> the School of Liberal and Performing Arts led by Dr. Pamela K<\/strong>h<\/strong>anakwa<\/strong>, and the Institute of Gender and Development Studies under Prof. Ruth Nsibir<\/strong>ano<\/strong>, are also headed by women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further noted that more than half of the departments under the College are led by female scholars, and at the university level, Makerere recently appointed its second female Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sarah Ssali<\/strong>,<\/strong> to head Academic Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is to encourage our female students who are here today that there are opportunities for women at Makerere and in this country,\u201d he emphasized. \u201cWomen play a key role in the leadership and growth of the university.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turning to the subject of the day, Assoc. Prof. Awich drew attention to mental health challenges among young people, citing findings from a study he led between 2017 and 2021 under UK government funding. The research, which covered 75 schools across Uganda and engaged over 11,500 pupils aged 10\u201317, revealed that 30 percent of school-going children were experiencing suicidal ideation, anxiety, or depression<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese findings are a wake-up call that mental health issues start early and must be handled with sensitivity and urgency,\u201d he said. \u201cMany times, suicides among the youth result from what may seem like simple relational or emotional challenges that could have been managed if they had someone to talk to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He lauded the School of Psychology for championing mental health outreach and called for continued community engagement. \u201cMakerere prides itself as an engaged university. We want to reach out to our communities, not to remain an ivory tower,\u201d he stressed. \u201cWe must be relevant to our society \u2014 socially, economically, psychologically, and emotionally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assoc. Prof. Awich concluded by encouraging students to participate in mental health workshops and open conversations within the college. \u201cMental health affects all of us at different stages of life,\u201d he said. \u201cThese forums are crucial for building resilience and awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Martin Baluku: Mental Health is Central to Academic and Personal Success<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The <\/strong>Dean of the School of Psychology, Dr. Martin Baluku<\/strong>, underscored the importance of mental health in shaping students\u2019 academic performance, social functioning, and overall well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEach one of us, at some point, will have a mental health issue \u2014 but we hardly think about it,\u201d he said, urging students and staff to deliberately reflect on their emotional health and identify stress triggers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Martin Baluku making his remarks<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Baluku noted that while stress is a normal part of life, it should be managed constructively. \u201cIf you are not experiencing any stress, it could mean you are not pushing yourself hard enough,\u201d he remarked. \u201cHealthy stress can be motivating, but when unmanaged, it becomes destructive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He likened mental health awareness to physical health checkups, urging people to \u201cdo mental check-ins\u201d just as they visit hospitals for other illnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dean expressed concern about the rising trend of drug and substance abuse in schools and universities, citing recent research by a Makerere psychologist that found no region in Uganda free from drug use among secondary school students<\/strong>. \u201c<\/strong>Even the innocent faces we see in schools are sometimes silently struggling with drugs and addiction,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He challenged the youth to take personal responsibility in helping peers who may be battling addiction. \u201cYou may know a friend who uses alcohol or drugs \u2014 what are you doing to help that person?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Dr. Baluku, addiction and mental illness rob society of some of its brightest minds. \u201cSome of the most intelligent students are lost to drugs and addiction. We cannot afford to keep losing them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He closed his remarks with a strong call to action: \u201cWe cannot achieve health without mental health. Let\u2019s think about our own mental well-being and that of those around us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba: Linking Classroom Knowledge to Community Action<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The lecture convener, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba<\/strong>, a lecturer in the School of Psychology, said the event was inspired by a desire to bridge academic knowledge with community needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis semester, we teach a course on Addiction Counselling under the Master\u2019s in Counselling Psychology program,\u201d she explained. \u201cWe wanted to ensure that the theories we teach in class translate into practical awareness and engagement with communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She emphasized that public lectures like this form part of Makerere\u2019s community engagement and social responsibility mandate. \u201cAs a university, we must take information from the so-called ivory tower and share it with the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Nuwagaba noted that recent research shows that mental health challenges and addiction often co-occur. \u201cIn the past, we talked about these issues separately. But evidence now tells us that one can lead to the other,\u201d she explained. \u201cThat\u2019s why we are intentional about addressing both together today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She invited participants \u2014 especially students from secondary schools and other universities \u2014 to actively engage in the discussions, reflect on their personal experiences, and think about solutions. \u201cPlease feel free to share your views, ask questions, and make new friends,\u201d she encouraged. \u201cEach one of you is important to this conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Event<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The public lecture attracted students from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, St. Lawrence University, and several Kampala secondary schools. It forms part of a series of mental health and addiction awareness activities organized by the School of Psychology to promote prevention, early intervention, and psychosocial resilience in schools and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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some of the secondary school students at the public lecture<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The session featured speeches, panel discussions, interactive discussions, , and reflections aimed at empowering participants to become advocates for mental health awareness in their respective institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n