KAMPALA, UGANDA — In a direct bid to curb a growing public health crisis and relieve severe congestion at national referral facilities, the Ministry of Health has issued an urgent directive ordering all Regional Referral Hospitals across Uganda to prioritize the immediate recruitment of mental health professionals.
The official directive, issued in a official letter dated June 10, 2026, by the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, highlights alarming statistics surrounding the country’s mental health burden.
Rising Mental Health Burden
According to key findings from the State of Uganda Population Report (SUPRE) 2025 cited by Dr. Atwine, mental health cases in Uganda recorded a staggering 71% increase between 2021 and 2024.
The statistics further reveal that mental disorders currently affect:
– 24.2% of adults nationwide.
– 22.9% of children across the country.
In addition, mental health conditions account for 13% of total Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in Uganda. Most critically, the report underlines a severe treatment gap, noting that more than 80% of individuals suffering from mental disorders currently remain without access to care.
Critical Shortage of Specialists
Despite the rising burden on the healthcare sector, national staffing levels for mental health care remain critically depleted. Dr. Atwine disclosed that current staffing coverage for mental health units across the nation stands at a mere 17%.
Across all 17 Regional Referral Hospitals in the country, there are currently only:
– 7 Psychiatrists
– 2 Clinical Psychologists
This leaves severe gaps in patient care, with similar acute shortages reported across other related healthcare cadres.
Directive to Regional Referral Hospitals
To operationalize understaffed units and decentralized care away from overcrowded national referral hospitals, the Ministry has instructed Senior Executive Consultants at all Regional Referral Hospitals to immediately utilize available staffing structures and budget resources.
The primary focus will be recruiting essential personnel—including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers—to ensure mental health units become fully functional and accessible to the public.
Dr. Atwine expressed appreciation to regional health leaders for their ongoing leadership and urged swift implementation to safeguard the mental well-being of all Ugandans.
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