PARTNER
COUNTRY
Uganda
TIMEFRAME
2022-2025
The challenge.
Agago District, a remote and often overlooked region in northern Uganda, bore the brunt of two decades of brutal conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The prolonged violence devastated communities, tearing apart families and leaving deep psychological scars. Today, the legacy of that conflict continues to manifest in widespread mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety.
In the sub-counties of Lapono and Adilang, mental health services are extremely limited, and the few local health centres that do exist lack the capacity and resources to address complex psychological conditions. As a result, residents are often forced to travel long distances, frequently on foot and at great personal cost to seek care.
This not only hinders their personal well-being but also prevents full reintegration into family and community life. Emotional isolation, social withdrawal and persistent psychological distress create barriers to education, employment and participation in collective life.
Driving change together.
This partnership with Network for Africa aims to strengthen community mental health services in Agago District by making care more accessible, inclusive and responsive to local needs.
Community outreach, led by our local partner BNUU, plays a key role in raising awareness of mental health conditions, addressing stigma and encouraging early help-seeking. Training sessions for duty-bearers and village health teams equip local actors with the knowledge and tools to identify mental health concerns, provide basic support, and refer individuals to appropriate care.
To ensure consistent access to services, monthly mental health clinics are held at local health centres. These clinics offer counselling, health education and access to medication, helping individuals receive care within their own communities. Home visits complement this work by providing follow-up support, fostering continuity of care, and strengthening relationships with individuals and their caregivers.
Beyond treatment, the partnership invests in support networks, village savings groups and community-run ‘drug banks,’ helping people rebuild confidence, connect with others and take steps toward financial stability. Together, these efforts create the foundation for long-term recovery, dignity and inclusion.
Partnership impact.
312
•
village health workers and duty bearers trained
24
•
health workers trained in mhGAPE
3,240
•
people attended mental health clinics
654
•
People with mental health conditions received psychological support/counselling
228
•
people living with a mental health condition joined savings group and drug banks
