MUSA RECONNECTED TO FAMILY AFTER TWO YEARS IN MENTAL HOSPITAL
March 22, 2026
Family support is critical for reintegration of people with Mental, Neurological and Substance Use disorders from institutional care back into their families and communities. In its work to decongest Butabika National Referral Hospital, the YouBelong team screens patients to ensure there is a family home and carer ready to receive them. The team relies on hospital records, ward information, and family contacts. In Musa’s case, these sources offered almost no hope.
Musa, 28, diagnosed with epilepsy, had been classified as a long-stay patient in a convalescent ward. For two years no family member had visited or claimed him. His file contained only clinical notes and a single name that was later discovered to be his uncle’s. The Ward-In-Charge explained that Musa had originally been brought in by the police. With no traceable connections, he remained in the ward for two years.
Determined to reconnect him back to his family, the YouBelong team engaged Musa directly. His speech and memory were impaired, requiring patience and persistence. He said he came from Masajja, a suburb of Kampala. He recited six phone numbers but none led to anyone who knew him. On the seventh attempt, a man answered who recognised the name in the file. He was Musa’s father! It emerged that Musa’s brother had been his primary caregiver, but the uncle’s name had mistakenly been recorded at hospital admission.
The father was overwhelmed with relief. When Musa realised his father was on the phone, he cried out repeatedly, “Father, it is me! It is me, your son!”
His voice was full of deep emotions. He lifted his hands high, and rushed to the Ward-In-Charge to tell her the good news.
Later, the YouBelong team and Ward-In-Charge was able to meet with the Musa’s family. The family explained that two years ago, after his mother’s death, Musa had argued with his brother and wandered away from their home in Masajja. The family had searched tirelessly, even using radio and television announcements, visits to various hospitals, including Butabika, and even mortuaries, but without success.
“I dreamt several times that he was dead,” his sister told us, “but I held on to hope that we would find him.”
The team provided psychoeducation to prepare the family to support Musa at home. He was discharged, and the team continues follow-up calls to strengthen the family’s connection to local community mental health services.
Every person in care carries a deep need to belong to family and community, where they are accepted and supported. In Musa’s case, inadequate records led to a very serious delay in family reunion. For many others, stigma, caregiving burdens, and limited knowledge further hinder reintegration. Yet through the persistence, and in partnership with Butabika National Referral Hospital, the YouBelong team continues to bridge these gaps—restoring hope, dignity, and belonging to people in recovery from severe mental illness, and their families.