Introduction
Pioneered in 2002 the Uganda Counselling Association (UCA) brings together Counselling Professionals and practitioners in Uganda with a mission to create an enabling environment for the ethical and professional practice of counselling and encourage the provision of quality counselling and Psychology services. UCA has and will continue to steadfastly adhere to its vision to see that professional counselling is embraced. UCA draws membership from Counsellor and Psychology Training Institutions, Prisons, the Health Sector, Schools, NGOs, Rehabilitating Centers, the Media, Government Agencies, Individuals, Religious groups etc. As the Uganda counselling Association draws close to a landmark of 25 years of professional counselling in Uganda, it seeks to come to grips with debates on professionalization and standards of counselling in the region. With the rising need for mental health services, the challenge posed for professionals is in regard to standardizing the services provided. As several entities begin to embrace professional counselling, it becomes pivotal that there is attention paid to the how this is done in Uganda and in the region. The theme of this year’s inaugural summit is Enhancing Professional Standards for Effective Counselling Practice. The 2-day summit will take place on 4th – 5th June, 2025 at Makerere University Main Hall in Kampala. The need for professional counselling in Uganda was ushered in by the need for care for Persons Living With HIV as well as provide career guidance to students in school. Realization of this prompted the need for training and education of counsellors in Uganda. Overtime several communities begun to appreciate the need for counselling in the schools and wider communities in a bid to improve mental health. During the COVID 19 pandemic, it was proven that the need is dire. As a result, dynamic practices begun to crop and some of these with no clear professional training but driven by passion and desire to help. With improvements in training and practice, there is an increasing need to professionalize
counselling, but also adopt culturally relevant practices that can support in building resilient communities across the African region and the globe.
Desired Outcome
Currently, the Uganda Counseling Association is seeking to have a definitive professional
counselor profile in Uganda. The Uganda Counselling Association continues the process of
seeking legal authority to regulate counselor training, supervision, and practice. This
conference will;
⚫ Provide a platform for increased research into making counseling more relevant to the
African situations, cultures, and customs.
⚫ Enhance shared learning about the standards of counseling in other regions and countries
outside Uganda.
⚫ Enlighten pparticipants will share innovations in counseling in different areas of practice.
⚫ Create opportunities for networking and learning about partnerships toward advancing
professionalism in counseling.
Methodology & Participation
The summit programme blends participants from various constituencies: counselors,
counselling psychologists, academia, policy and practice experts, established researchers and
students, from within Uganda and beyond. This will be an in-person participation targeting 150
participants from Uganda and neighboring countries. This will be coupled with forum
meetings with students, academia and other therapists. The summit will run on a presenter
mode, panel model as well as plenary Q&A.