The Healing Minds University Tour 2026 officially kicked off at Muteesa I Royal University, in Mengo, yesterday, Monday, September 21 bringing together hundreds of students for conversations on mental health, financial wellbeing and practical life skills.
Organised by the Nnaabagereka Nagginda Women’s Fund (NNWF), in partnership with I&M Bank Uganda Limited, Rhodium Mental Health Specialist Hospital and Nkoba za Mbogo, the initiative will engage students across universities nationwide through discussions that promote holistic wellbeing and resilience.
The inaugural session featured a joint plenary on mental-health and financial-literacy, providing students with practical guidance on managing everyday challenges and making informed financial decisions.
Leading the mental-health session, Cissy Tabingwa, Clinical Psychologist at Rhodium Mental Health Specialist Hospital, encouraged students to recognize the importance of seeking support when faced with challenges such as academic pressure, financial stress, relationship difficulties, family expectations, loneliness, grief and uncertainty about the future. For example, academic pressure may manifest as anxiety or burnout for one student, while financial difficulties may cause another to experience persistent worry or withdrawal. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength and an important step in maintaining mental wellbeing, she said.
She encouraged students to develop healthy support systems, talk about their challenges and seek appropriate professional help rather than allowing difficulties to build up silently.
The financial-literacy session was led by I&M Bank Uganda Limited Sales Manager, Max Harriet Awor, who highlighted the strong connection between financial wellbeing and mental wellness. She also took students through practical approaches of saving, budgeting and building financial resilience. She highlighted the importance of building an emergency fund to help students manage unexpected expenses and encouraged them to use formal banking services as part of their financial journey.
Annette Nakiyaga, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at I&M Bank Uganda Limited, said the bank’s involvement reflects its commitment to equipping young people with practical financial skills that can positively shape their future.
“Financial wellbeing is an important part of overall wellbeing. Developing sound money management habits early in life can create opportunities and provide greater financial confidence. Saving should start with whatever one can afford and be practiced consistently and intentionally,” she said.
She also highlighted the bank’s ExpressGO Digital Account, which enables young people to open an account conveniently through the I&M On The Go App, providing an accessible and affordable entry point into formal banking.
“The ExpressGO Account is the perfect answer for any one seeking to start their banking journey. It doesn’t require visiting a branch, all one needs is to download the I&M On The Go app, select ‘Open Account,’ follow the prompts, provide their required personal and identification details, and they’ll have an account with a minimum opening balance of just Shs 10,000. This account enables them to enjoy free bank-to-wallet transfers. Most importantly, it’s the type of account that enable anyone to enjoy a simple, convenient, and affordable way to start managing their money and to save,” Nakiyaga added.
Debbie Luwagga, Administrator at the Nnaabagereka Nagginda Women’s Fund, said the tour seeks to create safe spaces where young people can openly discuss issues affecting their wellbeing while gaining practical knowledge and support.
Following the launch, the tour will continue at Makerere University, Kyambogo University before extending to additional institutions, including Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and Buganda Royal University. The initiative will culminate in a grand finale at Bulange Mengo on October 27, featuring the induction of student wellness champions, recognition of essay competition winners and the unveiling of the Youth Mental and Financial Insights Report.
