Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of Kampala Archdiocese delivered a heartfelt appeal to Ugandan youth, urging them to turn away from drugs and alcohol, and instead find hope and healing through faith and community support.
Speaking during his Easter Sunday sermon at Rubaga Cathedral, Archbishop Ssemogerere decried the alarming rise in substance abuse among young people, which he linked to a surge in mental health challenges, including depression and suicide.
“Turn to God, not drugs,” the archbishop said in a firm but compassionate tone. “You are not alone. There is hope beyond your struggles. Don’t lose yourself in substances that only deepen the pain.”
The prelate’s message was not only spiritual but also a strong social call to action.
He emphasized the need for society especially parents and educational institutions to offer more guidance and empathy to the younger generation.
In a significant appeal to government, Archbishop Ssemogerere stressed that young people battling addiction should not be treated as criminals but as vulnerable individuals in need of compassion and rehabilitation.
“Let us not condemn them. These are souls searching for hope. Let us treat them, not jail them,” he said, urging authorities to prioritize support and rehabilitation over punishment.
His message resonated deeply with the faithful who packed the cathedral for Easter Mass, among them State Minister for Higher Education John C. Muyingo and Prince David Wasajja.
As the country continues to grapple with youth unemployment and the growing burden of mental health issues, the archbishop’s call comes as a timely reminder of the need for a more humane and faith-led response to the crisis of drug and alcohol abuse.
