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Former Vice President Prof.Gilbert Bukenya has called for an urgent action on increased alcohol and drug usage by the youth in the region resulting into violence in society.
Gilbert Bukenya addressing researchers, health experts and academicians at the 5th East African Psychology Conference at Nabinooya Beach Hotel decried the level of drug and alcohol use that has inflicted society at alarming rate.
“it’s pathetic that even in universal primary education schools children are stressed and cannot study well because their parents do not give them guidance because they spend more time engaging in prostitution in slums and take drugs inform of addressing economic demands, ”he said.
Bukenya who expressed concern over the alarming rate of drug misuse at schools, universities and in homes noted that youths and parents now smoke grey hair, ARVs and old human bones to intoxicate themselves to cause havoc and unrest in society.
Gilbert Bukenya appealed to law enforcement organizations to conduct schools assessment exercises and community advocacy campaigns and provide referral to help drug victims.
Dr.Hasfa Lukwata Principal Medical Officer Ministry of Health said government is working on establishing mental health advisory board that will oversee mental health treatment and monitoring of all rehabilitation centres in the country.
Last year the president assented into the reviewed and amended mental health act of 1964 however Lukwata says this has to be taken back to cabinet for approval to be implemented.
She added that her ministry is also working on mental health guidelines for stakeholders implement in addressing this problem.
The two days conference organized by University of Kisubi is running under the theme: Promoting Psychological Principles to Improve Mental health Addiction Care and Community Resilience has attracted over 100 researchers, health experts and academicians from Kenya, Tanzania, United States of America, South Sudan and Uganda.
Dr. Sebastian Ssempijja co-chair organizing committee noted that the continent of Africa has had significant stigma towards mental health addiction and relevant health consequences for a long time however the university is working on various partnership to conduct mental health research and advocacy in the region.
Currently the university is working with Uganda behavioral health alliance, university of Wisconsin and private health experts in conducting mental health research.
Due to drug abuse,last year prominent musician Jackie Chandiru music stardom went down for abusing drugs and currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Check also;
- Two University Students Arrested With Drugs Taped On Their Bodies
- Bobi Wine And Other Musicians To Be Tested For Drugs Before Resuming Concerts
- Fille Mutoni Reportedly On Rehab Over Misuse Of Drugs
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![[dropcap]A[/dropcap] section of women in Bugongo parish and Nawangaiza parish in Nawandala Sub County, Iganga District have decried the near-impossible terms set for them to access GROW funds. They have now petitioned their woman member of parliament for Iganga Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to ask the government for revised terms and conditions. This is to enable them to benefit from the program. The disgruntled women accuse the implementers of the program of charging the money. They are also asking for their land titles and land agreements. They said that such properties are governed by their husbands. These, therefore want the government through their woman MP to intervene and revise the requirements for one to benefit. The women were on Wednesday at Namabwere primary school in Nawandala Sub County. They had gathered in their respective groups to receive over 300 chickens from Hon Alibaawo in her campaign to improve the livelihood of women in Iganga district. Each group was given 50 chicken as start-up capital in their journey to prosperity. Read what some leaders said; Ms Naigambi Lydia from Nawandala Trading Centre says, “They solicited money from us through opening bank accounts and depositing Shs80,000. They also asked for land titles and land agreements from us yet we don’t have such things. I was informed that I needed to have a business with a capital of Shs4m yet my capital was very small.” The chairperson Kisoboka Saving Group in Nawandala Ms. Nakagolo Faith said they were not able to join the program. This is given the many conditions attached. She also asked their woman MP to raise their concerns to the relevant offices. The MP condemned the mode of implementation of the program. She cited that it has turned to benefit the well-off class of women other than the intended group. She further asked the government to intervene saying the current strings attached to the programme are very tight to accommodate a common woman. GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This is especially those who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs. Check Also; Iganga District NRM Leaders Urge Museveni To Fulfill Election Promises Of 2021 International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress Towards Equality](https://i0.wp.com/newslexpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Iganga-women-decry-tough-terms-to-access-GROW-funds-e1731738339732.jpg?resize=300%2C160&ssl=1)
