Uganda Must Invest in Psychology, Ignoring It Costs Lives and Productivity

Recent remarks by President Yoweri Museveni, questioning the value of psychology degrees, echo a long-standing sentiment often directed at arts and social sciences. However, statements from the highest office carry significant weight, shaping societal perceptions of professions and influencing individuals’ willingness to seek help for mental health struggles.

This dismissal is particularly concerning given that nearly one in three Ugandans will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, with approximately 12 percent currently living with one, according to the World Health Organisation and Uganda’s Ministry of Health. Many suffer in silence, often due to societal stigma and a lack of accessible support. Dismissing psychology exacerbates this silence, reinforcing barriers to help-seeking.

Psychology offers vital insights into human behavior, enabling professionals to identify distress early, intervene in crises, and support recovery. It provides language for pain, empowering individuals to understand their struggles and seek help before they escalate, while also fostering necessary conversations about mental well-being.

Economically, the cost of ignoring mental health is substantial. Untreated depression alone is estimated to cost Uganda hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost productivity. Conversely, investing in mental health yields significant returns through improved well-being and national output.

Despite the clear need, Uganda faces a shortage of trained mental health professionals and minimal funding for the sector. Closing this gap requires psychologists, counselors, and community practitioners working alongside existing health systems. The real question isn’t what one can do with a psychology degree, but the profound risks Uganda faces by neglecting its importance.

Leadership plays a critical role in shaping national attitudes. Encouraging students to pursue fields like psychology and counseling signals their value and contributes to strengthening a society’s capacity to understand and care for itself. Dismissing these disciplines discourages future professionals, weakening the very systems the nation urgently needs.

Uganda possesses the expertise and opportunity to address its mental health crisis. What is needed is a clear recognition from leadership that mental health is not secondary to development but a fundamental part of its foundation. Psychology is not useless; ignoring it is.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)