Mental Health Report launched as KCCA orders traders off streets

19 February 2026, 2:24 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Ministry of Health together with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the National Planning Authority have today launched the 2025 State of Uganda Population Report at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.

The annual statutory publication by the National Planning Authority provides evidence on population trends and their implications for national development. The function was attended by the Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Amos Lugoloobi, the Chairperson of the Authority, Pamela Mbabazi, and other leaders.

Speaking at the launch, Aceng described mental health as a critical national development concern affecting productivity, education, household stability and economic growth. She noted that nearly one in four Ugandans is affected and called for urgent, system-wide action. She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to integrating mental health into primary health care, expanding the workforce, improving infrastructure and increasing investment in the sector.

Lugoloobi said mental health is essential to Uganda’s economic transformation and human capital development, noting that achieving the Tenfold Growth Strategy targets will require a mentally healthy and productive population.

According to the report, mental health conditions in Uganda have risen rapidly, with reported cases increasing by more than 70 percent between 2021 and 2024. Fewer than one in ten people who need mental health care receive appropriate services, and without urgent intervention, economic losses are projected to reach 4.5 billion US dollars annually by 2040. The report highlights shortages of trained mental health professionals, limited services at district and community levels, inadequate infrastructure, medicines and equipment, as well as persistent stigma that discourages people from seeking help.

Meanwhile, the Kampala Capital City Authority, together with the Minister of State for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Kyofatogabye Kabuye, has directed all street traders to vacate city streets or face enforcement action.

Addressing reporters at the Uganda Media Centre, the minister said traders had earlier been given a two-week ultimatum to leave the streets. According to Kampala Capital City Authority, more than 60 designated locations are available to accommodate the traders.

On behalf of the Uganda Police Force, spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said security agencies are ready to enforce the directive and urged traders to comply peacefully.