John Babirukamu was a Victim of Depression, says Family
John Babirukamu, a popular digital marketer who jumped to his death at Tagore apartments in Kampala on May 30, 2024, suffered from depression.
This was disclosed by Babirukamu’s family members during a memorial church service held in Magere, Wakiso District on Saturday afternoon.
“He had been sick for a long time,” said the deceased’s brother, Collins Babirukamu, adding, “He was suffering from depression.”
Collins said Babirukamu did not have financial challenges as he had just signed a contract with a government body.
The deceased also paid all his debts including rent before he died.
A day before he passed on, Babirukamu sent mobile money to several people including creditors, raising speculation that he carefully planned to meet his creator.
Mourners used Babirukamu’s tragedy to urge authorities to give mental health the attention it deserves.
“The church and relevant government organs need to take considerable interest in the issue of mental health,” said retired Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde, a family friend at the church service.
“If you have a problem, please ask for help,” he rallied the mourners.
Feeling of emptiness
Shortly before he took his life, Babirukamu told his family members that he had given life his all but “now I find myself with only emptiness.”
“I apologize for being an inconvenience in death as I was in life,” said Babirukamu on his family WhatsApp group at 11:41am today.
“I have given it my all and now I find myself with only emptiness,” he said, adding, “I do sincerely love you all, and hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
“Kiss my nieces and nephews for me. They are the last joy that I held onto.”
Family members tried to reach out to him but didn’t not succeed as his cell phone was switched off.
Moments later, Babirukamu was pronounced dead.
A friend who visited Babirukamu’s rented apartment said he was shocked by what he saw – a reference to the amount of antidepressants stashed inside his drawers.
Mourners were urged to be more empathetic and listen to people dealing with stress and other challenges in life.
Friends said Babirukamu had a hearty laugh and that they had not detected any signs that he wanted to commit suicide.
The deceased was described as “jolly, intelligent, amiable” and kind to people from all walks of life.
Babirukamu died just two months to his 40th birthday.
The silent killer
Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing our thought processes, emotional states, behaviors, and our ability to cope with stress, form relationships, and make decisions.
Uganda has a high prevalence of mental health conditions compared with other low- and middle-income countries.
A Lancet Psychiatry correspondence reported that approximately 14 million people out of a population of 43.7 million, or about 32.0%, were affected by mental illness in 2022.
This prevalence was higher than previous national estimates, which stood at 24.2%. The increase might be attributed to the persistent social stigma and taboos surrounding seeking mental health services
Mental health services are extremely under-resourced in Uganda, and the primary health care system in the country does not have adequate resources to effectively address mental health concerns. There are only 53 psychiatrists nationwide, approximately one psychiatrist for every million people, and less than 1 (0.78) psychiatric nurse per 100,000 individuals.
Cultural expectations regarding masculinity often discourage men from expressing vulnerability or seeking emotional support, creating barriers to addressing mental health issues openly.
The existing stigma surrounding mental health disorders also leads to discrimination and isolation, further deterring men from seeking help.
By ChimpReports