A wave of grief has swept over Kabale University following the tragic suicide of Mugarura Victor, a young student whose death was announced today on X by the Uganda University Students on X. The loss has sparked urgent calls for better mental health support and counseling services on university campuses across Uganda.
Victor left behind a handwritten “Death Note,” inspired by the popular anime and manga series Death Note, where writing a name causes death. In his note, he wrote, “I am sorry for this disappointment but hope you will forgive me. I also didn’t expect it but this is what life is… Dear God forgive me all my sin (Amen). LIFE IS SCUM.” Alongside the note, images of Victor making a heart gesture against a scenic backdrop revealed a painful contrast between his outward positivity and inner struggles, leaving the community in shock.
The Uganda University Students on X account shared the news, calling it a “reminder that many students silently struggle.” They urged for greater mental health awareness, peer support, and accessible campus counseling. The post, which included Victor’s note and images, gained widespread attention, prompting an outpouring of grief online.
Users like @DoreenMugarra wrote, “So heartbreaking, people don’t have who to talk to,” while @ssenabulya28155 noted, “That narrative [that campus life is cool] is fake,” reflecting on the false expectations of university life.
This tragedy highlights a global crisis. The World Health Organization (2023) states that suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people worldwide, making up 1.4% of global deaths. In countries like Uganda, suicide attempts are a growing concern, with roughly 20 non-fatal attempts for every fatal case. A 2021 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders suggests that social media can worsen hidden mental health struggles, as individuals may appear happy online while battling despair—a pattern mirrored in Victor’s story.
Students and local experts are now pressing university leaders and the Ministry of Health to improve mental health resources. @Westvoice001 wrote, “Silently there, we die of many aspects,” highlighting the isolation many students face. A 2024 BMC Public Health article pointed out that 26.6% of Ugandan adolescents experience anxiety and 21% face depression, worsened by limited counseling services and cultural stigma.
