The release of the Uganda Human Rights Commission’s 28th Annual Report has triggered widespread national reflection after exposing a series of pressing human rights concerns, including delayed access to justice, corporal punishment cases in the Lango sub-region, and a disturbing increase in drug and substance abuse among young people. The report also highlights worrying trends in mental health disorders and rising cases of cancer, painting a grim picture of the country’s social and governance landscape. It warns that many young Ugandans are increasingly falling into addiction, depression, and despair as economic hardships deepen and social protection systems remain weak.
The report was officially presented in Kampala by Hon. Lamex Apitta Omara, representing Commission Chairperson Mariam Wangadya. During the presentation, Omara stressed that the report was never intended to undermine institutions but rather to promote accountability, transparency, and stronger respect for human rights across all sectors. He called on both government agencies and private actors to carefully consider the findings and work collectively toward strengthening justice delivery and democratic governance.According to the findings, the commission received a total of 1,747 complaints in 2025, of which 324 were confirmed as involving human rights violations. The Uganda Police Force recorded the highest number of complaints at 181 cases, followed by private individuals and the Uganda People’s Defence Force.
The most frequently reported abuses included unlawful deprivation of liberty, torture, and denial of child maintenance, reflecting continued concerns about abuse of authority and mistreatment of citizens.The tribunal of the commission also processed hundreds of cases during the year and awarded compensation amounting to UGX 885 million to victims affected by torture, illegal detention, and other violations. Despite these efforts, the report notes that many victims continue to experience delays in receiving compensation due to limited funding, accumulated case backlogs, and reliance on outdated manual systems that slow down investigations and case management processes.
A significant section of the report focuses on the escalating problem of drug and alcohol abuse among Uganda’s youth. It describes substance abuse as a growing national crisis, particularly among unemployed young people aged between 18 and 30. The report further indicates that, on average, each Ugandan consumes about 12 liters of pure alcohol annually, placing the country among the highest alcohol-consuming populations globally. This trend is linked to poverty, unemployment, rural-urban migration, peer influence, and social media pressures.The report also reveals that children are increasingly being exposed to drugs and alcohol at an early age, often between 13 and 15 years, raising the risk of long-term addiction. Substances such as marijuana, kush, shisha, and kuba were identified as commonly used among vulnerable youth seeking escape from economic and emotional struggles.
This early exposure is seen as a major driver of dependency and social decline.Mental health professionals have also raised concerns about the growing strain on healthcare facilities across the country. The report estimates that nearly 3.7 million Ugandans are currently facing mental health challenges, with young people forming the largest proportion of those affected. It further notes that Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital reports that about 40 percent of admissions are linked to substance abuse, while regional hospitals such as Soroti continue to receive large numbers of mental health patients weekly.In response, legal and governance experts have welcomed the report but also urged improvements in research methods and stronger institutional reforms. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza of Makerere University emphasized the need to strengthen constitutional safeguards, particularly the 48-hour detention rule, to ensure better protection of citizens’ rights. As Uganda continues to grapple with rising addiction, mental health challenges, and human rights violations, the report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to restore dignity, hope, and opportunity—especially for the country’s youth.
