Irene
Irene

I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala

Irene's unique recovery journey through spirit mediumship and ritual offerings in Kampala.

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6:12•22 May 2022

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About this podcast

I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala

China Scherz, George Mpanga, and Sarah Namirembe

Dipo Naziggala (I Closed the Depot): Addiction and Recovery in Kampala is a podcast about addiction and recovery in Kampala Uganda. The stories told in this podcast were drawn from a four-year collaborative research study of the techniques Ugandans living in the suburbs of Kampala use to respond to alcohol related problems. While approximately 58 percent of Ugandans claim that they abstain from alcohol entirely, the WHO estimates that those who do drink have an exceptionally high estimated per capita consumption rate of 23.7 liters of pure alcohol per year. For comparison, the WHO 2014 report estimates the per capita consumption rate among American drinkers at 13.3 liters and Russian drinkers at 22.3 liters (World Health Organization 2014). Over the course of four years (2015-2019) we sought to learn about alcohol use and the ways that people attempt to resolve situations of problem drinking by spending time talking with people in bars and in the places where they sought help for their problems. Some of these people sought help in formal drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers and Alcoholics Anonymous support groups. Given the relatively recent introduction of Western ideas of alcoholism and addiction in Uganda, most people sought help for their problems outside of the formal medical system. They visited herbalists to buy herbal emetic therapies. They made offerings to the lubaale spirits in the shrines of basamize. They prayed for deliverance in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. This podcast is a collection of their stories. The stories told here are true as remembered by the people who shared them with the research team. In accordance with the requirements of the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, they have changed the names of the people involved as well as place names and other identifying details. We hope that in sharing these stories with you that you may come to learn about the wide range of techniques people can use to resolve situations of problem drinking. They also hope that the stories may give you hope of addressing the problems that you may encounter in your own life. Finally, they want to express their deep thanks to all of the people who shared their stories with them so that they could share them with you.

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Episodes: 13

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Irene's Journey: Healing Through Spirit Mediumship in Kampala

“What I learned is: if a lubade wants your attention, it will find ways to hurt you. In my case, bamoyana made me drink in ways that threatened to destroy my life, but once I recognized him through participation in rituals and making offerings to him, I was able to stop drinking.”

Ever wondered how different cultures tackle addiction? Meet Irene, a woman from Kampala, Uganda, whose path to recovery is anything but conventional. In this episode of 'I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala', Irene shares her unique journey of overcoming alcoholism through spirit mediumship and ritual offerings. Her story is a fascinating blend of traditional practices and spiritual beliefs, highlighting the diverse ways Ugandans address alcohol-related problems.

From herbal therapies to ancestral spirits, Irene's experiences reveal the deep cultural roots that influence recovery methods in Kampala. She emphasizes the power of community support and the importance of recognizing spiritual forces in the healing process. This episode is part of a larger research study conducted by Dr. China Scherz, George Mpanga, and Sarah Namirembe, funded by the University of Virginia and the National Science Foundation.

It offers a rare glimpse into the personal stories of those battling addiction in Uganda's suburbs. If you're curious about how different cultures approach recovery or seeking inspiration from unconventional methods, Irene's story is a must-listen.

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