Butabika, Uganda – March 6, 2026, Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, in partnership with American Tower Corporation Uganda and the Rotary Club of Butabika Royals, launched a Digital Community Centre aimed at improving mental health care, expanding digital literacy, and increasing access to online learning for patients, healthcare workers, and surrounding communities.
The Centre was officially unveiled at Butabika Hospital in an initiative that brings together healthcare, technology, and community service to address Uganda’s growing mental health burden while advancing digital inclusion.
The launch comes at a critical time as Uganda continues to experience a sharp rise in mental health cases. Facility-reported cases have increased by more than 70 percent between 2021 and 2024, while the country still faces a significant treatment gap, with fewer than one in ten people in need receiving proper care.
Speaking at the launch Dr. Juliet Nakku, Executive Director of Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, welcomed the new digital Centre, noting its potential to support both clinical care and patient recovery.
“We see the complexity of Uganda’s mental health crisis every day from young people struggling under the weight of unemployment and addiction, to families seeking support for children in distress,” Dr. Nakku said.
“This Centre will help our clinicians learn, research, and deliver better care. It will also offer meaningful digital engagement for patients in recovery, which is essential in reducing isolation and promoting reintegration.”
She also added that beyond the hospital, the Centre will offer free training programs in digital literacy, financial education, and entrepreneurship, helping young people develop skills that can open pathways to employment and economic empowerment.
Dorothy Ssemanda Kabagambe, Chief Executive Officer of ATC Uganda, described the Digital Community Centre as a practical intervention designed to support both healthcare and community development.
“This Centre is more than a room with computers; it is a space for learning, connection, empowerment, and healing,” Kabagambe said.
“Our intention is to support healthcare workers with digital tools, equip young people with employable skills, and ensure that the community around Butabika has access to the information and opportunities that technology can offer.”
She also said that ATC Uganda’s Digital Communities Program has expanded rapidly, with more than 83 centers across the country serving over 90,000 beneficiaries, reflecting the company’s long-term commitment to digital inclusion.
Studies indicate that 24.2 percent of adults and 22.9 percent of children are living with diagnosable mental health conditions, highlighting the urgent need for accessible mental health services.
Young people remain particularly vulnerable. With nearly 78 percent of Uganda’s population under the age of 30, unemployment and limited opportunities have intensified social pressures and emotional distress. Currently, 50.9 percent of young people aged 18 to 30 are not in employment, education, or training, a situation that experts say contributes significantly to rising mental health challenges.
As the country’s national psychiatric referral facility, Butabika Hospital continues to face immense pressure. Although the hospital has a bed capacity of 550, it often accommodates between 1,000 and 1,300 inpatients, reflecting the growing demand for mental health services.
In addition, alcohol and substance use disorders account for roughly 30 percent of daily admissions, placing further strain on healthcare resources.
The initiative also reflects Rotary’s growing commitment to mental health support as part of its global service agenda.
The new Digital Community Centre will provide healthcare workers at Butabika Hospital with digital tools for continuous professional development, research, and patient management.
Caregivers and community members will also benefit from the Centre as a hub for accessing mental health information, online support services, and safe digital learning spaces.
With outpatient mental health attendance rising from about 491,000 cases in 2020/21 to more than 616,000 in 2023/24, partners behind the initiative say digital innovation will be key to strengthening Uganda’s mental health response.
The launch of the Digital Community Centre represents a collaborative effort to bridge the digital divide, expand mental health awareness, and empower communities with knowledge and skills that promote resilience and recovery.
