Hoima, Uganda – Residents of Kibati Cell, in Hoima East Division, were left in shock on Monday afternoon after a 31-year-old woman attempted to take her own life due to overwhelming financial stress.
The woman, identified only as Scovia N., reportedly consumed a mixture of pesticides in a desperate bid to end her life, citing unmanageable debts and harassment from lenders as the driving force behind her decision. Scovia, a mother of two and small-scale vegetable vendor, had allegedly borrowed over UGX 2 million from informal loan groups to support her struggling business.
According to neighbors, she had been receiving constant threats and public humiliation from moneylenders after defaulting on several payment deadlines. Witnesses say she locked herself in her house and left a handwritten note apologizing to her children and pleading for forgiveness from her family.
Luckily, a neighbor who had come to check on her found her unconscious and raised an alarm. She was rushed to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, where medics confirmed that she had ingested a toxic substance but was stabilized and is now recovering in the emergency ward.
Albertine Region Police spokesperson, ASP Julius Hakiza, confirmed the incident and urged community members facing financial challenges to seek help rather than resort to drastic measures.
“We are seeing a worrying trend of people being pushed to the edge by debts. We encourage anyone struggling with financial or mental health issues to seek support from family, religious leaders, or professional counselors,” said Hakiza.
The case has prompted renewed calls for regulation of informal lending groups and more access to mental health services in the region. Local leaders also emphasized the need for financial literacy programs to empower residents with better debt management skills.
Scovia’s relatives expressed gratitude for the swift community response and said she would be receiving counseling and support to help her recover and rebuild her life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a trusted person or contact the nearest hospital or mental health service provider.
