About ADAAM
Born in recovery. Built for a nation.
Anti-Drug and Alcohol Abuse Movement — We are dedicated to safeguarding the mental health and well-being of youth, men, women and people with disabilities through innovative programmes and services — offering tailored support, education and advocacy that break down barriers to care and empower people to lead healthy, resilient lives.
ADAAM is a locally led Ugandan organisation working on substance use prevention, recovery support, youth mental wellbeing and drowning prevention. We connect community experience with public education and constructive engagement with government, civil society, educational institutions and health actors.
Our substance use work includes prevention education, Early Recovery Skills, family engagement and links to peer support and referral. Our drowning prevention work supports a coordinated, government-led response through stakeholder dialogue, policy evidence, sector engagement and water-safety communication.
Across both areas, we aim to make information understandable, reduce stigma and support earlier action. We work through partnerships so that school and community experience can inform institutional decisions and public policy.
“I returned — not as a patient, but as a friend, advocate, and founder of the Anti-Drug and Alcohol Abuse Movement.”
Christian Mugarura Mafigiri · Founder & Executive Director
How we care
From first call to lasting recovery
Every person who reaches us walks a clear, confidential path — built on evidence and paced to their journey.
Assessment & Triage
A comprehensive assessment of each person’s needs, challenges and goals — with triage protocols that prioritise people in crisis for timely intervention.
Personalised Treatment Planning
Plans built around individual circumstances — combining counselling, therapy, peer support, workshops and consultation to address root causes, not just symptoms.
Implementation & Support
Regular counselling, therapy and peer groups with ongoing guidance — helping each person navigate challenges, manage symptoms and work toward their goals.
Monitoring & Follow-Up
Continuous progress tracking, follow-up sessions and alumni programmes that support long-term recovery well beyond initial treatment.
What we believe
Six values we will not negotiate
Anonymity
We respect the privacy and confidentiality of every individual who seeks our support.
Non-judgement
We approach each person with understanding and acceptance — free from prejudice or bias.
Empathy
We empathise with the struggles and challenges faced by those battling addiction and mental illness.
Honesty
We foster an environment of transparency and integrity in everything we do.
Professionalism
We maintain the highest standards of professionalism in our services.
Spirituality
We recognise the importance of spiritual well-being in recovery, nurturing the spiritual dimension of healing.
The journey
A decade of showing up
2016
The first Uganda Recovery Walk takes place in Kampala on 10 September, launched by then Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda — recovery gets a public voice.
2017–2022
Annual Recovery Walks carry the message across Uganda — “Rise Above Stigma”, “Together We Are Stronger” — while the founding team deepens school and community outreach.
2023
ADAAM is formally established in Kampala — a beacon of hope for people battling mental health issues, led by Executive Director Christian Mugarura Mafigiri. The Recovery Walk reaches Adjumani at the request of the Ministry of Education.
Feb 2024
ADAAM is registered with the National Bureau for NGOs — Reg. No. 8065 — formalising its national mandate.
2024
ADAAM joins the national drowning-prevention push, backing Uganda’s first National Water Safety Strategy with #DrowningPreventionUG.
2025
ADAAM becomes a founding member of the Coalition Against Illicit Alcohol — Uganda Chapter, launched 29 October under the patronage of Dr. Rugunda.
2026
The movement scales — festive campaigns in Arua, Kampala and Mbarara, recovery trainings in Kampala’s ghettos, and a national #UniteToTurnTheTide advocacy drive.