University students and youth advocates have called for urgent reforms to make campuses safer and more supportive environments, warning that rising cases of HIV infections, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, mental health struggles and substance abuse are increasingly affecting students across Uganda’s higher institutions of learning.The concerns were raised on May 14 during the two-day National Students Conference held at Kyambogo University under the theme Institutionalising Students’ Health, from Awareness to Action.The conference, organised by Own Your Future Initiative, brought together students from universities including Makerere University, Uganda Christian University and Kyambogo University, alongside officials from the Ministries of Education, Health and Gender, civil society organisations and development partners.Speaking at the conference, Brenda Katushabe, a young lawyer and founder of the Own Your Future Campus Initiative, said many of the health and social challenges affecting students remain hidden because of stigma, fear and limited youth-friendly services within universities.“Five years ago, I was 20 years old and studying at Uganda Christian University.
Campus life was perceived as freedom, but with that freedom came stories and issues we could no longer ignore,” Katushabe said.She said students continue to face growing risks, including HIV vulnerability, mental health challenges, gender-based violence, sexual harassment and substance abuse.“When I started this initiative, I witnessed friends being abused for masks, an increase in new HIV infections, gender-based violence cases, mental health struggles, and substance abuse within university communities,” she added.Katushabe noted that many students fail to report abuse or seek help because universities still lack effective reporting systems and accessible support services.She called for increased investment in youth-led advocacy programmes, saying student organisations remain critical in linking young people to service providers and policymakers.“Some providers are disconnected from the beneficiaries of their services.
That’s why youth-led school clubs are vital because they serve as voices, bridges, and channels of communication between students, service providers and policymakers,” she said.Kyambogo University Guild President Adama Emmanuel also urged universities to move beyond awareness campaigns and implement practical interventions that directly support student well-being.“As I reflect on the theme, ‘From Awareness to Action,’ I believe awareness alone is not enough,” Emmanuel said.He cited research showing that although many students are aware of mental health services, only a few seek professional help because of stigma, financial barriers and limited access to counsellors and mental health professionals.“The time has come to move from awareness to action.
We must institutionalise student health within university policies, allocate dedicated budgets and implement programmes that prioritise student well-being,” he said.United Nations Population Fund Country Representative Kristine Blokhus said Uganda’s youthful population could become a major driver of national development if properly supported and protected.“Uganda has 46 million people, and 75% are under 30.
If they are healthy, educated, skilled and employed, they can drive the country’s development.
If not, progress stalls,” she said in her keynote address.Blokhus also urged health workers and institutions to create non-judgmental spaces for young people seeking help on issues such as sexual health, HIV, violence and mental health.“When a girl seeks contraception or a teen asks about sexual health, your attitude determines whether they feel safe to seek help.
The quality of care and support that vulnerable people receive depends less on systems and more on the attitudes of the individuals within those systems,” she noted.She also highlighted a silent reality on many campuses where students avoid health services because of stigma and fears around confidentiality, emphasising that a healthy campus must also be a safe and trusted space for every student.Joshua Thembo called for stronger collaboration between government ministries, universities and civil society organisations to address growing student health concerns.“There are no comprehensive guidelines for health within university settings, and we urge the Ministry of Education to act swiftly in providing these,” Thembo said.Representing the Ministry of Education and Sports, Henry Semakula, who represented the Director of Basic and Secondary Education at Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports, said the government continues to support age-appropriate health and life skills education in schools and universities.He also emphasised the importance of mental health awareness and menstrual hygiene education in protecting young people from abuse and equipping them with self-care skills.Throughout the conference, participants, especially university students, repeatedly called for stronger university policies, increased funding and youth-friendly services to help address the growing health and safety challenges facing students across the country.
Uganda students safer campuses, HIV vulnerability, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, mental health services, youth-friendly university policies