The Rotary Club of Muyenga in Kampala has appointed Jackie Chandiru as their mental health ambassador. The announcement by the club came after a moving testimony about the turbulent times the singer went through with drug addiction. She delivered the testimony to the Rotarians of the club and their visitors at a fellowship convened at Hotel International Muyenga in Kampala recently.

“It is about six years of my life that I cannot be able to bring back or to take back all or to reverse or to go through again. I cannot be able to do that. Why? Because I am a recovering drug addict. Recovering a drug addict is a medical term, I in my heart I believe I am healed with the power of God. By God's grace, I am healed. I know I am healed. But medically I am a recovering addict. Why? Because anything can trigger me back to addiction,” Chandiru said.

However, Chandiru was quick to remind the Rotarians that anyone was a potential victim of mental health with causes not limited to drug addiction.

“I'm coming from the drug addiction side. But this can also affect anybody else when it comes to depression. Depression can be triggered by marriage related issues, job issues, issues in your country, your circle of friends, among others,” she said.

Who is Chandiru
In the past, she has been referred to as the Queen of the (West) Nile, or simply as Omuwala Omulugwala (the Lugbara girl). To many, she was simply Chandiru.

In her prime, she commanded fame with a spirit as lively as the river that flows through her homeland.

Her journey began in 2002 when Jackie took a chance on the Coca-Cola Pop Stars Competition. Alongside fellow talents Lilian Mbabazi and Cindy Sanyu, Jackie all soared to victory and formed the iconic trio, Blu*3 in 2004.

Blu3 captivated audiences across East Africa, winning prestigious awards and accolades. But their success was not without challenges. As her music evolved, so did Jackie's path.

In 2010, she ventured into a solo career, releasing soul-stirring singles that transcended linguistic barriers, weaving Lugbara and English into melodies that spoke to the soul. Chandiru’s story is not just one of triumph, it's a testament to human resilience.

After a hiatus, she made a powerful comeback in 2015, igniting stages with her electrifying presence and captivating performances.

She was living in a world that is often sunk in drug addiction - the world of entertainment. There were media stories about her purported abuse, but many swept them under the carpet. Then she opened up about her decision to leave the country for a period of time after seeking rehabilitation, emphasising the need for a safe environment for mental healing.

In a media interview, she revealed that the negativity on social media had taken a toll on her, prompting her to distance herself from the harsh environment.

"I took a step back because I realised that social media was not being kind to me during that time, and I needed to focus on my psychological recovery to regain my strength. Drug addiction takes a toll on your mental well-being, and I knew that I needed to remove myself from that negative space in order to heal," Chandiru explained.

Following her admission to Naguru Hospital and Bunamwaya Rehabilitation Centre in 2020, Chandiru's health did not show significant improvement, leading to her relocation to Kenya for further treatment.

The singer had  reportedly struggled with addiction to pethidine, a drug initially used to alleviate back pain resulting from an accident. She shared that the synthetic opioid induced excessive sleep and euphoria, leading to a downward spiral in her health.
Chandiru's musical journey began with her participation in the TV show Coca-Cola Popstars, which ultimately led to the formation of the group Blu*3 in 2004. 

Excerpts of Chandiru’s testimony 
My issue is a result of domestic violence and that's why I told you that I have seen a lot at my very young age.
 I got this man, he used to come home very late. Every day. So when it went on for some time, I tried at one point to talk to him, but he would not listen so I chose silence. One time, after a number of years, he called me at about 8pm. I suffer from low blood pressure by the way. So I was with the doctor when he called me. How are you feeling? I responded; “I am with the doctor.” 
 

"I am going to be late because I'm going to meet someone  because we have important things to discuss.,” he told me.

You know what I saw from my mother, I don't disturb a man. I wasn't married, but according to my upbringing, by the time I decide to stay with somebody in the house, that person should be treated as my husband. So this man stayed out I think until my drip, drip went UP. My pressure was so low that night I remember and it took long to normalise.
Before my husband returned, the person he told me he was going to meet, called me and asked about him saying they had a document they were supposed to sign which he had to make sure he would deliver at 9am. He had been calling without being picked. This is two hours after he told me that he had gone to meet this very person. So I had to play it.
 

A couple of hours later, the guy calls back and asks, has he come back? You know, I can always pass by and he just signs the text.  I sat up and waited. He entered at 2:30am.

And then when he finally came to bed, I didn't know what to say. I picked my phone. I picked up my phone and put it on the loudspeaker and I called his partner. He picked and said; “Madam Jackie is he back? You know I still have some time. My man had recognised his voice and he demanded my phone. I hid the phone, I protected the phone more than myself until I threw it under the bed.  Guess what, the man beat me senselessly. All the time he beat me, he kept saying, “You don't trust me.  Who are you calling?” 
 
It got to a point because of my career. I said do what you want to the rest of my body, but please don't touch the face. So I got injured that day. The injury I got was something that really doesn't allow me to do what I do best. When I went to a doctor, the doctor gave me an option. You either do surgery as the best option. But there is a 50, 50 chance that you will be able to walk again.

Now for me being an artiste and a performer, there was no way I was going to just be there without performing, it was impossible. So, he said while you think about it, “Let me give you something to help with the pain.”
  
Her addiction to drugs
I hardly used to sleep and because of that, I suffered from what they call chronic insomnia. They would give me an injection, the pain would vanish, I work. I would sleep for 20 or 30 minutes. That was me.

Imagine this drug gave me the chance to sleep and I would sleep and wake up relaxed and it would help me forget what was bothering me before I slept. It gave me comfort from my problems. And that's where problems started, I didn't want to work anymore. Why? Because I enjoyed the sleep.

My life became that drug. I didn’t want to work anymore and people were no longer giving me jobs. They were no longer calling me for the jobs because I let them down since I preferred to sleep and at that time I had the money.  
And that was when everybody around me was telling me, “Jackie you know you are actually going down. Everything about you is just not right. You don't look right in public. You don't talk right.” 

It came to a time when all my body was full of injuries because of injections, most of my cells and nerves had died. But I would struggle to look for a functioning nerve for an injection. After the doctor realised that I had gotten addicted, he increased the price of the drug from sh5,000 to sh10,000 and I would use 20 pieces of the drug in less than half a day.

My addiction came from depression. I found my solace somewhere, but people around did not understand that. It was the road to mental degradation. So many people don't know how to handle stress, a lot of times when you choose to speak to somebody, maybe the whole office may get to know. On my side, I remember I confided in somebody about that gentleman. Thirty minutes later, it was on the internet, exactly what I had told her.

Ken Mugisha, the former governor of the Rotary District 9211 and currently serving on the International Rotary Board on Addiction, announced that Chandiru will be given an opportunity to address young people on addiction and mental health in the presence of the International Rotary president 2024-2025, Stephanie A. Urchick, when he visits the country early next year. “The issue of addiction and mental health is core to Rotary. We want to inform as many young people as possible of the dangers involved in the abuse of drugs,” he said.

What experts say
Dr. Lawrence Nankaba, psychiatric clinical officer/ medical officer, Lira Regional Referral Hospital and Crest Care Clinic Kitintale, Kampala

Overcoming addiction and reintegrating into society after experiencing domestic violence is a multi-faceted process. The cycle often begins with domestic violence leading to drug addiction, which is characterised by impulsive drug use despite its harmful effects. Both physical and psychological dependence can result from addiction, making rehabilitation a complex endeavour.
Rehabilitation strategies can be tailored to the individual, their partner, or the community. Self-awareness is crucial for recognising and addressing addiction, particularly in the context of domestic violence, where emotional and interpersonal dynamics can complicate the situation. Lack of support and fear of being blamed can drive individuals to seek solace in drugs, perpetuating the cycle of addiction.

Addressing the root causes of addiction, is essential for effective rehabilitation. Different modalities, including institutional and home-based care, are available for rehabilitation, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Support from various sources, including social, emotional, and financial, is vital for the journey to recovery. However, the blame game and lack of forgiveness within domestic violence situations can hinder progress.

Dr. Nankaba emphasises the importance of seeking mental health support early, before addiction becomes entrenched. Selecting the most appropriate rehabilitation programme and addressing any accompanying mental health challenges are critical steps in the recovery process.

“While medication-assisted therapy and other interventions can aid in recovery, the individual’s determination and commitment play the most significant role in their rehabilitation,” he says. 

Early intervention in domestic violence situations, through the involvement of marriage counselors or psychologists, is essential for breaking the cycle of addiction and rebuilding healthy relationships.

The story was first published in the Weekend Vision