Prioritize mental health programs, Bamasaaba urged
He called on the government and leaders to listen to the needs of young people and take proactive measures to mitigate mental health challenges.
Mbale: His Royal Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, the cultural leader of the Bamasaaba, has called on local leaders to prioritize mental health programs and provide support for individuals facing psychological distress.
Speaking over the weekend at the burial of Captain Israel Bill Manyifu, who passed away under mysterious circumstances on December 27, 2024, Umukuuka Mudoma emphasized the critical role mental health plays in transforming idle populations into productive contributors to the economy.
Captain Manyifu, the son of former Mbale Municipality Mayor Richard Kanindo Masaba, was laid to rest in Bulambuli on Saturday.
During his address, Umukuuka Mudoma revealed that Bugisu region faces a significant mental health crisis, with psychological distress affecting an estimated 15.7% of the population. He described this as alarming, highlighting the profound impact it has on the region’s poverty levels.
“Addressing mental health challenges is fundamental to reducing poverty and improving productivity,” Mudoma said. He urged leaders at all levels to take action and address the link between mental health and economic stagnation, warning that unattended psychological distress, particularly among youth, could lead to severe consequences.
Mudoma also warned of the dangers posed by idle youth, whom he referred to as a “ticking time bomb” if their concerns are not addressed.
He called on the government and leaders to listen to the needs of young people and take proactive measures to mitigate mental health challenges.
Mike Mukula, Vice Chairman of the NRM for Eastern Uganda, attended the burial as the chief mourner, given his close friendship with the late Manyifu.
Mukula praised Umukuuka Mudoma for his leadership and commitment to the Bamasaaba people.
He also reassured the mourners of the government’s efforts to address the issues raised by Manyifu before his passing, and urged young people to adopt virtues of honesty, innovation, and friendliness, as exemplified by Manyifu.
In related news, Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi declared a campaign against early drinking and gambling in Sironko District, viewing these vices as detrimental to the region’s youth.
Mafabi emphasized the importance of addressing such issues to enhance the productivity and well-being of the area’s most active population group.
The late Captain Manyifu, a pilot in the Office of the President, was widely recognized for his previous work with Parliament and his service as an aide to Captain Mike Mukula.
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