Baryomunsi Urges Ugandans to Take People With Mental Health Conditions to Hospitals, Not Police

What the report says

Uganda’s Health Minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, used the Mental Health Run 2026 to urge the public to take people experiencing mental health conditions to hospitals for care rather than to police stations. The event, organised by the Ministry of Health and partners, took place as Uganda marked World Mental Health Day on October 10, and drew health officials, advocates and members of the public despite heavy overnight rain.

The minister said people with mental health conditions should be treated with compassion and referred to medical professionals, not treated as criminals. He also encouraged Ugandans to support mental well-being through regular exercise and healthier diets. According to the report, the ministry plans to hold similar mental health runs in other parts of the country to broaden awareness and encourage earlier help-seeking.

The article also included personal testimony from Richard Mukasa, a recovery advocate who described living with an undiagnosed condition for decades before reaching specialist care. He used his experience to urge parents and school administrators to pay closer attention to children’s mental health. Dr Juliet Nakku of Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital called for stronger government action, while event coordinator Moses Okwera Mugisha said the campaign aimed to improve public understanding and reduce stigma around mental illness. The coverage reflects broader concerns in Uganda, where advocates continue to push for better awareness and access to treatment.