Butabika, Kampala April 17, 2025, Her Royal Highness the Nnabagereka (Queen) of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, yesterday made a special visit to Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, where she delivered a message of compassion and advocacy for mental health. The Queen also donated essential domestic supplies to support the well-being and comfort of patients receiving treatment at the facility.
The visit forms part of Her Royal Highness’s broader mental health advocacy initiatives in the lead-up to the Queen’s Bowl 2025, a flagship event aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing support for mental health, to be held under the theme "Healing Minds."
In her remarks, Queen Nagginda called on institutions and individuals alike to place mental health at the forefront of their priorities.
"We should put people who are struggling mentally at the top of our lists," she said. "Whether in schools, hospitals, or any other setting, we must ensure that those around us who may need support can receive it. Let’s look out for one another and encourage those going through challenges to open up to at least one or two people they trust, so they can get the help they need."
The Queen highlighted the rising mental health challenges, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a pressing concern that demands collective action.
"The pandemic heightened existing mental health challenges, making our mission even more urgent," she added. "Through this initiative and others, we aim to transform perceptions, eliminate stigma, and mobilize the resources necessary to promote mental health awareness and support."
She commended the staff and leadership of Butabika Hospital for their unwavering commitment to mental health service delivery.
"We deeply appreciate your dedication to supporting people living with mental illness, especially here at Butabika—the country’s only national mental health referral institution," she noted.
Welcoming the Queen and her entourage, Dr. Juliet Nakku, Executive Director and Consultant Psychiatrist at Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, described the visit as historic and deeply meaningful to both the patients and the staff.
"We are honored by Her Royal Highness’s visit. It reaffirms the importance of mental health and the national attention it deserves," said Dr. Nakku.
She shared that Butabika Hospital, despite its five hundred fifty-bed capacity, often operates beyond its limits due to the high demand for services. The hospital provides a wide range of mental health care services, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, forensic mental health services, primary health care, investigation for epilepsy, EEG, ECG, MRI Machine, dental and eye services, and specialized care units for children and individuals with substance use disorders.
Dr. Nakku emphasized the importance of a dual approach to mental health development—investing in both "hardware", such as infrastructure, and "software", including community awareness and psychosocial support.
"We must strengthen both our facilities and the community systems that support mental health," she said. "We are grateful for the Queen’s advocacy, which helps amplify our work and the needs of the people we serve."
The visit concluded with a tour of some of the hospital’s facilities, where Her Royal Highness interacted with staff and offered words of encouragement to patients. The donated supplies, including bedding, and pads and more were handed over to the hospital management.
Queen Nagginda’s advocacy continues to play a pivotal role in raising awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in Uganda. As preparations for the Queen’s Bowl 2025 intensify, her message of hope and healing continues to inspire action across the country.
