Health Experts Call for Government Rehabilitation Centres in Ibanda

What the report says

Health experts in Ibanda District are urging the Ugandan government to establish rehabilitation centres at the district level, arguing that local facilities would make treatment easier to access for young people affected by drug and substance abuse. The appeal was presented in the context of growing concern about substance-related harms in the district, including recent security worries, although the public report notes that any direct link between drug abuse and the reported killings has not been established.

Dr. Innocent Mujuni, described as a mental health expert and councillor, said many young people struggling with substance use and related mental health problems do not have nearby places to seek professional help. He argued that district-based centres would allow affected people to get care closer to their communities and improve their chances of recovery.

The call highlights a wider gap in mental health and addiction services outside major facilities. In general, rehabilitation and community-based support are often limited in rural districts, which can delay treatment and make reintegration more difficult for patients. The World Health Organization’s recent emphasis on person-centred, community-based mental health care provides broader context for the appeal, though the specific policy response in Ibanda was not reported.

The article frames the proposal as part of ongoing efforts to address youth substance abuse and expand access to professional support in the district.