'School preps, job-search stress driving mental illness cases'

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Pressure from school preparation, academic performance and job-search stress is contributing to a sharp rise in mental health cases among young people in Uganda, officials from Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital have told lawmakers.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee on March 16, 2026, the hospital’s executive director, Juliet Nakku, said mental illness cases treated at the national facility have increased by about 70%, with 22.9% of the cases affecting young people.

Nakku said increasing social pressures, including academic expectations and the struggle to find employment, are among the factors driving the rise in mental health disorders among the youth.

“Early school preparation, academic pressure and the stress of looking for jobs are some of the issues contributing to the mental health challenges we are seeing among young people,” Nakku told MPs.

She added that substance abuse is also playing a major role in youth mental health cases, with about 30% of admissions among young patients linked to alcohol and drug use.

The revelation comes amid growing concern from lawmakers over rising reports of depression and suicide across the country, particularly among young people.

Nakku said the national referral hospital is also grappling with severe staff shortages, which are affecting its ability to adequately care for patients.

Currently, the facility has only 14 psychiatric specialists serving more than 1,000 patients, a situation she described as overwhelming for health workers. The shortage also affects nursing staff, with Nakku telling MPs that one nurse is sometimes responsible for more than 60 patients, far above recommended standards.

“This level of workload is extremely demanding for our staff,” she said.

The hospital is also facing financial constraints that have slowed expansion plans and infrastructure development. According to Nakku, the hospital requires about sh120 billion to address key operational gaps, including recruitment of staff, improvement of facilities and expansion of mental health services.

She noted that the funding would also help improve infrastructure and create additional capacity to manage the increasing number of patients seeking treatment. Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, Uganda’s main public mental health facility, has in recent years been operating beyond its intended capacity.

Nakku told MPs that congestion at the hospital has made it difficult to provide optimal care for patients. In some cases, patients are brought to the facility under difficult conditions because their families have nowhere else to take them.

“You cannot turn away a patient who arrives tied with ropes simply because there are no beds. We try as much as possible to provide some level of care for everyone who comes,” she said.

The hospital has developed a plan aimed at reducing congestion over the next three years. According to Nakku, the strategy includes expanding mental health services at regional and community health facilities so that patients can receive treatment closer to their homes.

If implemented successfully, the plan could reduce the number of patients admitted at Butabika to about 650 over the next three years, easing pressure on the national facility.

“We believe that strengthening mental health services at the regional and community levels will ensure early treatment and reduce the burden on Butabika,” Nakku said.

During the meeting, MPs also raised questions about some of the beliefs held by communities regarding mental illness.



Asuman Basalirwa, the Member of Parliament for Bugiri Municipality, asked whether cases linked to witchcraft had been reported at the hospital.

Nakku responded that many patients come from communities where such beliefs exist, but medical professionals rely on scientific diagnosis and treatment when managing mental health conditions.

Mental health experts said stigma, substance abuse and limited access to mental health services remain major barriers to treatment in Uganda. With cases continuing to rise, health officials are calling for increased investment in mental health services, stronger community awareness and early intervention to prevent severe illness.

Nakku said expanding mental health services across the country would play a critical role in addressing the growing crisis and ensuring that patients receive care before their conditions worsen.