Uganda launches 'Be Better' campaign for youth well-being amid mental health concerns

A new year-long campaign, 'Be Better,' has been launched in Uganda by Reach A Hand Africa to tackle the declining well-being of young people. The initiative directly addresses findings from a survey across 27 schools, which highlighted significant issues such as low self-esteem, self-doubt, and the impact of social pressures like bullying.

These student-specific challenges mirror broader national concerns. Uganda's Ministry of Health has declared mental health a "silent emergency," with a substantial portion of adults and children affected, yet access to care remains limited. A global World Health Organization report also noted rising school pressure and decreasing family and peer support among adolescents worldwide.

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By continuously curating these initiatives, we aim to contribute to the national development agenda contained in the NDP IV - empowering young people as drivers of economic growth and supporting global development aspirations such as the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The 'Be Better' campaign, running until the end of 2026, seeks to cultivate a culture of kindness and self-improvement. "By continuously curating these initiatives, we aim to contribute to the national development agenda... empowering young people as drivers of economic growth," stated Humphrey Nabimanya, CEO of Reach A Hand, Africa. The campaign will utilize school outreach programs, student challenges, film screenings, and youth activities to foster a student-led movement promoting positive change.

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We shall have Beat Hubs, the Be Better challenges, a student short film initiative, poetry, student-led social media challenges, podcasts, storytelling, and school policy dialogues. This will create a student-led movement that promotes positive change while emphasizing confidence and empathy.