Butabika Hospital Launches Call Centre for Remote Mental Health Counselling

What the report says

Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital has launched a call centre meant to widen access to professional mental health counselling in Uganda. According to Nile Post, the hospital says the service is the first of its kind in the country and is designed to let people seek support remotely rather than travelling to the psychiatric facility in Kampala.

Hospital Executive Director Dr Juliet Nakku announced the initiative while briefing Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi during his tour of Butabika to assess operations and mental health service delivery. Dr Nakku said the channel is intended to make counselling more accessible for people experiencing emotional distress or other psychological challenges, especially those who face distance, transport costs, or stigma when seeking care in person.

The report says the call centre is expected to add another entry point into mental health services, with the potential to guide callers on coping with concerns and on whether they need further assessment or treatment. It may also help encourage earlier help-seeking for people who are reluctant to visit a hospital at first. However, the article notes that Butabika had not yet provided key public details such as the phone number, operating hours, geographic reach, or any charges.

More broadly, the move reflects ongoing efforts to improve access to mental health care in Uganda, where specialised services can be hard to reach for some communities. Nile Post said the effectiveness of the service will depend on trained staff, secure communication, and clear referral procedures.