In Uganda, we typically embrace the rainy and sunny seasons as essential parts of our lives. However, these once-celebrated periods have devolved into cycles of disaster and hardship.
For months, we have been enduring the scorching heat of the dry season, grappling with oppressive heat waves that pose serious health risks due to the arid air and dust, which often lead to illnesses like the flu. These extreme temperatures have also wreaked havoc on the agricultural sector, with crops wilting under the relentless sun, ultimately stunting the economic growth of a nation heavily reliant on agriculture.
Recently, our Laudato Youth Research Editor highlighted the detrimental effects of these heat waves on students’ mental health. In many schools, the sweltering conditions make it unbearable for students, as some institutions lack even the basic shade of trees to provide a breath of fresh air. As a result, many students yearn to return home, only to find that their homes are equally affected by the heat. The longing for rain has become palpable, with many counting down the days until relief arrives.
Now, the rains have finally come, bringing both hope and despair. While the downpour can benefit farmers, it also presents a significant challenge. This flooding cannot simply be labeled a natural disaster; it is a human-induced crisis. The heavy rains often begin in the early hours and continue throughout the day, leading to flooding in well-developed areas, disrupting businesses, transportation, and leaving many homeless. Students find themselves unable to attend school due to submerged roads and bridges, while patients struggle to reach hospitals as vehicles become trapped in the deluge.
With seasons shifting and the stakes rising, mental health concerns are on the rise. Students are unable to attend school, parents face challenges in getting to work due to impassable roads, and patients are cut off from medical care. The stability of our mental well-being is at risk.
Is this a problem of development or a consequence of poor planning? While it is essential for us to advance technologically, we must also prioritize our health and well-being. The floods we are experiencing can be attributed to both the questions posed above and human activities. Poor waste management has led to blocked drainage systems, preventing proper water flow. We are complicit in creating this disaster, but we can also be part of the solution.
We must work together to ensure that urbanization and modernization flourish sustainably; otherwise, we risk losing the opportunity to create meaningful change.
Reference
Kisembo, I. (2025, February 24). The Silent Suffering: Effects of Heat Waves on Mental Health – A Case Study of Students in Ugandan Schools. Retrieved from https://laudato-youthinitiative.org/2025/03/01/the-silent-suffering-effects-of-heat-waves-on-mental-health-a-case-study-of-students-in-ugandan-schools/
Sarah, For Laudato Youth Media
