It was a typical weekend morning in Wafuluya, Namisindwa, a district located in the Eastern region of Uganda, when the news broke that sent shockwaves throughout the community. A 19 year old senior three female student had taken her life, marking a tragic end to a life that held so much promise.
According to the Elgon Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Rogers Taitika, the reasons for Catherine Seera, a Senior Three student to take her own life are not yet clear.
“It’s alleged that the deceased left home on Wednesday to Magale Town Council for leisure and after some time, she informed her sister that she was going to meet her boyfriend. At around 9pm Thursday, one of her neighbours found her on the rope hanging dead,” he said.
The incident has left many questions unanswered – what could have led to her decision? What could have been done to prevent it? The tragedy has sparked an urgent conversation regarding the state of mental health awareness in Uganda, and what must be done to address the growing number of suicides.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda has one of the highest suicide rates in Africa, with an estimated 9.4 suicide cases per 100,000 people. Despite this alarming statistic, the discussion and awareness of mental health issues remain scarce within the country.
The tragic story of the senior three student perfectly illustrates the urgent need for a country-wide mental health initiative. The student’s name has not been released, but reports suggest that she suspect that the deceased might have committed suicide over a failed love affair her sister Edith Nabulwale told The Black Examiner
The Magale Town Council Chairperson, Mr Martin Muyekukha, urged police to investigate the matter to its conclusion to establish the real cause.
While the incident has been devastating for family members, classmates, and teachers, it has also highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for students to discuss their emotions and mental health problems. Many students avoid seeking help due to the stigma associated with mental health problems, and the lack of awareness leads to misunderstandings and misconceptions.
The Magale Town Council Chairperson, Mr Martin Muyekukha, urged police to investigate the matter to its conclusion to establish the real cause.
The body was taken to Mbale City Mortuary for Post-mortem as investigations go on.
This becomes the second incident in a mother where students take their own lives in the same area.
The government has recently put in place various initiatives aimed at addressing the issue of mental health. However, more still needs to be done to ensure that students have access to the services they need. The preventative efforts must start in schools, with teachers and students equipped with the resources to identify and address the signs of mental health problems early.
The calls for improvements are not limited to the government alone. Schools must make a concerted effort to create a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to speak about their problems and seek help. At the same time, NGOs and other community-based organizations must continue to champion the mental health cause, encourage local communities to take up discussions and educate them on the issue of mental health.
The tragic suicide of the senior three student served as a wake-up call for everyone in Uganda. It highlights the importance of seeking preventative measures to address mental health issues in schools, communities and across the nation. Failure to prioritize this issue will only result in more preventable losses of life. By raising awareness, teaching students to recognize and address their emotions, and implementing social and emotional learning programs, Uganda can help safeguard its students and the wider population.
In memory of the student who lost her life, let us commit to raising awareness about mental health and working together to ensure that no student suffers in silence.
