MBARARA, UGANDA — Postpartum depression is emerging as a major public health concern among rural mothers in western Uganda, with health experts warning that the condition—often overlooked and underdiagnosed—is pushing some women to the brink.
Marked by symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, crying spells, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts or detachment from their babies, the condition is worsened by domestic violence, isolation, poverty, and neglect in healthcare settings.
Emotional Trauma in the Shadows
Dr Leevan Tibaijuka, head of the high-risk obstetrics unit at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, says many women are showing symptoms that go far beyond normal post-birth emotions.
“Some women want to throw away their newborns. Others are overwhelmed by sadness and anxiety,” Dr Tibaijuka said.
In one tragic case, a 17-year-old girl from Sheema District abandoned her baby after delivering alone in a banana plantation, following failed abortion attempts and fear of violent parental retribution.
“I tried to abort, but failed. I delivered alone and left the baby,” the girl said, haunted by threats from her father.
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
Many adult mothers, like Rosemary Kobusingye and Annet Kapasika from Bwizibwera, describe the emotional toll of returning home to abuse, hunger, and neglect.
“If I report the violence and my husband is arrested, life only becomes worse,” said Kobusingye.
“Some mothers can’t afford even the basics. When the husband is poor or gone, both mother and child suffer,” added Kapasika.
Even health centers are part of the challenge, with women reporting cold treatment from nurses and a lack of mental health support during postnatal visits.
Missing the Signs
Local studies conducted by Dr Tibaijuka’s team found that up to 27% of new mothers screened tested positive for postpartum depression—roughly 2 to 3 in every 10 women. Yet, routine screening remains rare.
“Mental health screening must become part of postnatal care,” Dr Tibaijuka urged. “Early detection is key.”
A Call for Family and Community Support
Because symptoms often begin between four and eight weeks after delivery, families need to stay alert.
“Support at home is essential,” said Dr Tibaijuka. “Empathetic care helps mothers either recover or get timely medical intervention.”
As maternal mental health remains a silent epidemic, experts call for a national strategy that includes routine screening, community sensitization, and better-trained health workers to help Uganda’s mothers heal.
