The walk is held every September because September is a Recovery month worldwide. To celebrate the day, millions of prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and facilities around the world organize activities that recognize the problem and create awareness.
The Ugandan edition was attended by individuals who’d faced and overcome the wrath of alcohol and other abuse plus problem behaviour as well as service providers in the field of mental healrh,such as; Focus On Recovery-Uganda, FORE Tranquil Homes, UAPA, Hope and Beyond, Serenity Center, Vkids, UNHCO, Butabika National Refferal Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ministry Of Education, UHCA, Kyambogo University (KYURI,) St Francis Primary School, Makerere Primary School, Green Valley Primary School, Ugandan Girl Guides Association, Recovery Ministries Internaitonal, Teens Challenge Jinja, Transformative Recovery Initiative, Uganda Youth Development Link, Life Back Foundation, International Aid Services.
The ED of Butabika Dr. David Basangwa, who was representing the Minister of State for Primary Health Care,Hon Dr.Joyce Moriku Kaducu, commended Recovery Coalition for the work they were doing. He emphasided the need for Ugandans to own the problem of alcohol abuse and mental health, before suggesting that children be made aware of the dangers substance use right from an early age, in schools.
“Addiction is a menace to our society that needs to be curbed, because it is spreading like a wild fire. That is why as Ministry Of Health, we pledge to always support the efforts of civil society organisations such as Recovery Coalition”, he stated.
Many of the individual participants that attended the walk had only recently recovered through the Rehab Course at Tranquil Homes Entebbe, and were elated to share testimonies.