Health experts and workers are raising alarm over increasing mental health challenges in Kampala’s densely populated neighborhoods, largely linked to poor living conditions and unemployment. The problem is most acute among young people living in the city’s informal settlements.
According to Habitat for Humanity, about 60 percent of Kampala residents live in informal settlements, and over 20 percent reside in “typical settlements.” Although no comprehensive study has been conducted, health and community workers report that many mental health issues stem from substance abuse, often fueled by joblessness and the stresses of daily survival.
These concerns came to light during a Mental Health Camp held in Acholi Quarters, Banda, Nakawa Division, organized by Rotary Clubs in Kampala and led by the Rotary Club of Kampala-Naalya.
Charles Owekmeno, a public health specialist and president of the club, said that while youth are the most affected, an increasing number of women are also struggling due to the burden of caring for families under difficult circumstances. He noted that the camp aimed to raise awareness about mental health and promote early medical intervention.
Acholi Quarters, historically home to people displaced by conflict in Northern Uganda, remains one of Kampala’s most crowded areas. Many residents have no formal employment. Joseph Oloya, the Local Council 1 Chairperson for Banda BI, said the 2016 census recorded 22,000 residents, but the population has since grown.
Although housing has improved from makeshift mud-and-wattle structures, social services remain inadequate. Poor road access prevents garbage trucks from reaching inner areas, and access to health care is limited. Oloya noted a rise in mental health problems among residents, driven by unemployment and declining traditional income sources such as quarry work and crafts.
He added that efforts to resettle residents back in Northern Uganda sometimes worsen emotional distress, as some returnees struggle with trauma when they encounter graves of loved ones.
Janat Kulabako, the Nakawa Division Health Inspector, acknowledged the lack of nearby health facilities, with the closest public health centers several kilometers away in Kiswa (Bugolobi) and Naguru. She welcomed the health camp and urged stronger law enforcement to curb alcohol and drug abuse in homes.
Dr. Joseph Mugisa, past president of the Rotary Club of Kampala-Naalya, noted that stigma around mental illness remains a major barrier, with some people attributing it to witchcraft or avoiding the topic altogether. He called for a multi-sectoral approach to address the underlying causes and effects of mental illness across different sectors.
Dr. Mugisa added that the Rotary Club plans to establish a youth and adolescent center in Acholi Quarters early next year to provide counseling, life-skills training, and other public health services.
