The Nnaabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, has raised concern over the difficult conditions some children face at home, warning that these experiences may contribute to school dropouts, substance abuse and involvement in criminal groups as children seek alternative ways to cope or survive.
She has called for urgent action at both the national level and within the Buganda Kingdom to address the challenges affecting children’s mental health and well-being.
Nnaabagereka Nagginda made the remarks during the closing ceremony of the Healing Minds 2026 School Tour, an initiative implemented through the Nnaabagereka Nagginda Women Fund to promote mental health awareness among school-going children.
In 2025, the Nnaabagereka launched the Queen’s Ball initiative to support efforts to address growing mental health challenges affecting communities in Uganda and the Buganda Kingdom.
Since then, she has continued to champion mental health awareness, with this year’s campaign placing particular emphasis on the emotional well-being of children in schools.
During the closing ceremony, Nagginda revealed that the initiative had reached more than 10,000 children in schools across different parts of the country. She said the children had shared troubling experiences about their treatment and living conditions at home.
“Many children today are facing serious challenges in their parents’ homes, which push them towards peer groups where they may begin abusing drugs as they search for a better life,” Nagginda said.
She expressed concern that some children were growing up in difficult home environments that could negatively affect their emotional well-being, education and overall development.
The Nnaabagereka urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s welfare by providing care, protection and emotional support.
She emphasised that children need to feel safe, loved and supported, particularly during their school years, when their emotional and social development is critical.
Nagginda also called on parents to pay particular attention to the protection of girls, ensuring that their rights, safety and well-being are prioritised.
She further encouraged parents to create supportive home environments where children can freely express their feelings and discuss the challenges they face without fear of being judged or punished.
“Parents should give their children the courage to speak about the challenges they are experiencing in their everyday lives. Listening to them is important in protecting their mental health and helping them overcome their problems,” she said.
Meanwhile, Buganda Kingdom Minister for Youth, Sports and Talent Development, Robert Serwanga, emphasised the importance of giving children opportunities to speak openly about issues affecting their lives.
“It is very important to give children an opportunity to express the challenges they face in their daily lives so that we can understand their concerns and find appropriate solutions,” Serwanga said.
He noted that listening to children could help parents, teachers and other stakeholders identify problems early and work together to address them before they escalate.
The Healing Minds 2026 School Tour forms part of ongoing efforts to promote mental health awareness among schoolchildren, encourage open conversations about emotional well-being and create safer, more supportive environments for children at home and at school.
The initiative highlights the importance of cooperation among parents, schools, communities and cultural institutions in addressing challenges that affect children’s mental health, education and personal development.
