KAMPALA- In a move aimed at tackling Uganda’s silent mental health crisis, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with mental health advocates and youth organizations, has announced the L.I.V.E. Conference 2025, a national event focused on youth suicide prevention. The conference will take place on 10th September 2025 at Hotel Africana in Kampala, under the theme: “Listen. Include. Validate. Empower. – Because Every Life Matters.”
Timed to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, the conference will bring together over 500 participants, including young people, mental health professionals, educators, faith leaders, policymakers, and survivors. The goal is to ignite a national conversation and co-create practical, community-driven solutions.
Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, noted that although Uganda lacks accurate statistics on suicide due to various challenges, records from 2024 show 190 suicide attempts and 59 deaths. “We don’t have a national suicide prevention strategy in Uganda. Suicide remains criminalized, and that alone drives the issue further underground. We must stop walking in the dark. This conference is a vital opportunity to bring everyone on board especially the youth to contribute to a strategy that works for Uganda,” Dr. Kyabayinze emphasized.
He further noted that the L.I.V.E. Conference is more than just a gathering, noting that it marks the beginning of a national healing process.
“Even listening to people’s pain and giving them a platform is part of healing. The solutions aren’t just in government; they’re in communities, families, and conversations,” he added.
One of the central issues to be addressed is the current legal treatment of suicide. Under Ugandan law, attempted suicide is a criminal offense, a policy that experts and advocates argue pushes vulnerable individuals into isolation and deters them from seeking help.
Lugasira Andrew, Chairperson of the L.I.V.E. Conference Organizing Committee, stressed the urgency of legal and policy reform. “We want to stop punishing pain. Suicide is not a crime but rather a mental health condition that needs treatment, compassion, and, most importantly, prevention. You don’t wait until someone is gone to act.”
Voices from the Frontlines
The conference will also feature testimonies from those with lived experience, including survivors and families affected by suicide. Albert Elwa, Executive Director of Focus on Recovery Uganda, shared insights from his clinical experience:
“When someone starts saying things like ‘life is not worth living’ or begins giving away their belongings unexpectedly, these are not idle statements. They are signs of deep distress. We need more people to recognize these signs early not just psychiatrists. We only have about 60 psychiatrists for a population of 46 million.”
Conference Highlights and Goals
The L.I.V.E. Conference will feature:
- Youth-led discussions and panels
- Testimonies from suicide survivors and affected families
- A Mental Health Resource Hub offering real-time services and referrals
- Training for media and health workers on responsible reporting and communication about suicide
- A national public awareness campaign to destigmatize mental health
Ultimately, the goal is to lay the foundation for a comprehensive, Uganda-specific National Suicide Prevention Strategy, shaped by the voices of those most affected.
