Musinguzi Begumisa

• Begumisa has publicly identified himself as having bipolar disorder. His memoir In Search of Sanity recounts his experience of living with the condition and its effects on his life. [1][2]

• Begumisa has described both mania and severe depression. During a manic episode in 2008, he became convinced that he could advise Uganda's president on the economy and went to State House. He was taken to Central Police Station and then to Butabika Hospital. [2]
• He has also spoken about becoming deeply depressed while at university, isolating himself and coming close to taking his own life after struggling academically. [1][2]

• Begumisa has described taking medication for bipolar disorder over many years. He has also spoken about side effects and has said that at one point he stopped taking medication because he feared its effects. [1][2]
• He has emphasized medication and professional treatment alongside support from family, trusted friends and faith as important parts of managing his mental health. [1]

• Begumisa has described gradually rebuilding his life while continuing to manage bipolar disorder. He completed his engineering education, pursued further qualifications and established a career as a civil engineer. [1][2]
• He has also said that he turns to trusted friends when he senses his mood beginning to change. [1]

• Begumisa has used his memoir and public speaking to challenge stigma around mental illness in Uganda. He has said that he chose to share his experience because mental illness was rarely discussed openly in his family or community and he wanted his story to help others. [1]

“You do not heal in isolation.”

— Musinguzi Begumisa [1]