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KAMPALA, Uganda — In a major push to address rising emotional and psychological pressures among students, youth-centered organization Reach A Hand Africa (RAHA) has officially launched “Be Better,” a comprehensive, year-long student-focused campaign aimed at promoting adolescent well-being, emotional resilience, and personal accountability across Uganda.
The initiative was unveiled on August 12, 2026, during a high-energy school outreach event held at Namilyango Senior Secondary School in Mukono District. The rollout comes as a direct response to a comprehensive baseline survey conducted by the organization across 27 schools in Kampala, Mukono, Rwampara, and Kasese, which uncovered alarming rates of self-doubt, low self-esteem, poor emotional well-being, and social pressures such as bullying, teasing, and unhealthy peer relationships among learners.
What triggered the launch of the ‘Be Better’ campaign?
The findings from Reach A Hand Africa’s multi-district school survey mirror broader, worsening national and global health trends regarding adolescent wellness.
According to the State of Uganda Population Report 2025 released by the Ministry of Health, mental health has reached a critical tipping point, officially classified as a silent emergency in Uganda. The government report estimates that approximately 24.2% of adults and 22.9% of children suffer from mental health conditions—with fewer than one in ten affected individuals able to access proper medical or psychological support.
These domestic findings align closely with international findings from a World Health Organization (WHO) report published in 2024. Surveying nearly 280,000 adolescents aged 11, 13, and 15 across 44 countries and regions, the WHO highlighted a sharp, consistent rise in school-related stress coupled with a decline in family and peer support, urging immediate action on the social determinants affecting youth development.
How will the ‘Be Better’ campaign operate in schools?
Scheduled to run through the end of the third academic term of 2026, the ‘Be Better’ campaign moves away from traditional, monotonous lectures, instead utilizing interactive edutainment and peer-led platforms to engage students.
Speaking during the launch, Shantal Katana, Lead for Gen Z Engagement and Innovation at RAHA, outlined the primary implementation channels:
- Beat Hubs & Interactive Challenges: Creative spaces designed to encourage artistic expression and positive peer reinforcement.
- Student Short Film Initiative & Poetry: Utilizing visual storytelling and creative writing to address social pressures and emotional health.
- Student-Led Social Media Challenges & Podcasts: Leveraging digital platforms to build safe, supportive online communities.
- School Policy Dialogues: Engaging school administrations, teachers, and student leaders to foster supportive institutional environments.
By integrating these dynamic activities, the campaign seeks to cultivate an empathetic, student-led movement that emphasizes self-confidence, kindness, and proactive mental health care.
How does the initiative tie into national and global development goals?
Placing the initiative within a wider policy framework, Humphrey Nabimanya, Chief Executive Officer of Reach A Hand Africa, emphasized that supporting adolescent well-being is vital for national progress.
“By continuously curating these initiatives, we aim to contribute to the national development agenda contained in the NDP IV—empowering young people as drivers of economic growth and supporting global development aspirations such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Nabimanya stated.
The campaign directly addresses several targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
About Reach A Hand Africa (RAHA)
Formerly known as Reach A Hand Uganda, Reach A Hand Africa is a premier youth-led, non-profit organization dedicated to equipping young people aged 10 to 30 with the life skills, information, and economic opportunities necessary to make informed life decisions and drive social change.
Through signature programs spanning Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), youth leadership, behavior change communication, and livelihood empowerment, RAHA continues to build resilient communities across Uganda and the wider East African region.
For institutions, media practitioners, or stakeholders looking to partner with or support the ongoing ‘Be Better’ school outreach programs, inquiries can be channeled through Hadijah Nakayi, Communications Coordinator at Reach A Hand Africa, via email at hadijah@reachahandug.org or telephone at +256 789 470 457.
