Uganda, May 8 -- When Francis Mukaga Macho joined Lira University in August 2023 as a Public Health student, he became increasingly concerned by what he described as widespread substance abuse among students on campus.

Located in Ayera Cell in Lira City West Division, the public university appeared to him to be facing growing challenges related to alcohol and drug use among young people.

Concerned about the implications for student health and productivity, Mukaga embarked on a research study in 2024 to examine the prevalence of substance use and the factors driving the trend among university students.

As a public health student, he viewed the issue as a threat to Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and wellbeing, as well as U...