International Prevention Uganda

Uganda Programs: Healing Communities, Locally and Globally

Since its founding in 2013, Nichols Center has supported families in Douglas County and West Georgia facing substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and trauma. Guided by its mission of "helping families heal through wellness and recovery," the nonprofit is now building partnerships in Uganda, so lessons learned in Georgia can be shared and adapted for communities beyond Georgia.

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Partnership Rooted in Community Leadership

Nichols Center's International Leadership Program works alongside Ugandan community leaders Steven Mwidde and Ivan Karugaba. Together, they are identifying opportunities to expand trauma-informed mental health initiatives, education, and support for individuals, families, schools, and communities. Steven leads ministry connections and outreach, and Ivan leads clinical-program development, data collection, and community research.

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Learning Together Through the Uganda–U.S. Intern Network

A pilot Uganda–U.S. Intern Network connects Ugandan interns with Nichols Center's U.S. clinical interns. Supervised projects support cross-cultural learning. Interns work on workshop preparation, mental health outreach, basic data and evaluation support, and cultural review. U.S. interns are also developing outreach content and orientation videos for incoming Uganda interns. Participants build professional skills while forming relationships that can support future international work.

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Culturally Responsive by Design

Nichols Center does not assume that an approach that works in Georgia will work unchanged in another country. Ugandan interns and local partners review information and training materials for cultural and community fit, so education reflects local language, beliefs, strengths, and needs. This builds on the center's holistic, culturally sensitive approach to care.

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Reducing Stigma and Expanding Education

As in Georgia, a key goal is making it easier to talk openly about mental health, trauma, and substance use. Through community education, outreach, and partnerships with ministries, schools, and local organizations, the program aims to promote understanding and encourage early help-seeking.

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Safeguards and Sound Evaluation

All intern work is supervised and includes data privacy, informed consent, and age-appropriate protections for interns under 18. Ivan's community research and data collection will help evaluate what is working and what should be adapted, so growth is guided by evidence and local voices.

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Leadership and Vision

Under the leadership of Executive Director Tara Nichols, LPC, Nichols Center has expanded from local family support and first-responder resilience to global collaboration. Through its Uganda partnerships, the center is not only sharing knowledge but also learning from communities with different strengths and experiences.

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By combining compassion, education, and cultural humility, Nichols Center's Uganda programs are helping build stronger, more resilient families and communities in Georgia and in Uganda.

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Nichols Center members can join our online International Leadership Forum to connect with our team in Uganda. Click the link below and log into our membership portal to join the discussion today!

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