A recent survey conducted at Makerere University reveals that drug use and risky behaviors are prevalent among both first-year and continuing students.
The study, conducted by the Global Leadership Summit and Life Ministry Uganda under the Emerging Leaders Program, found that 6.8% of first-year students and 7.7% of continuing students at Makerere are involved in drug use.
These findings highlight the urgent need for intervention and support to address these issues within the university community.
Regarding sexual behavior, the survey shows that 37.8% of first-year students and 36.6% of continuing students are virgins. However, it also highlights that 13.5% of the students believe they were exposed to HIV while at the university.
Disturbingly, 27% of first-year students admitted to having five sexual partners within a year, while 11% of continuing students reported having 10 partners in the same period. These statistics indicate a concerning trend of risky sexual behavior among students at Makerere University.
Furthermore, gambling issues have resulted in 1.9% of first-year students and 2.1% of continuing students losing their tuition fees. This highlights the financial consequences and potential for addiction that gambling can have on students’ lives.
It is crucial for the university to provide resources and support for students struggling with gambling addiction.
At the launch of the Emerging Leaders Program, Minister of Education Janet Kataaha Museveni stressed the importance of vigilance in ensuring students do not jeopardize their futures by engaging in harmful behavior.
She praised the program’s role in nurturing and empowering young people to become a dignified, responsible generation, grounded in strong moral values and wisdom. Since its inception in 2022, the Emerging Leaders Program has trained over 100 students and 40 lecturers at Makerere University.
