Jackie Chandiru opened up about her battle with substance abuse and the widespread ignorance surrounding addiction in Uganda that prompted her to label Ugandans, “stupid.”
Chandiru’s struggle with addiction began innocently enough. She was prescribed Pethidine, a painkiller, to treat severe back pain, a condition she had been dealing with for some time.
At the same time, she was battling insomnia, as a result of the pressures of the music industry.
The painkiller, designed to help her with her back issues, soon became a crutch that offered relief not just from pain but also from the insomnia that had disturbed her for years.
“I could barely sleep more than four hours a week,” Jackie recalled. Instead of resting, she would often spend her nights on YouTube, researching for her music projects.
When the painkiller allowed her to rest, it seemed like a miracle solution, providing her with the relief she so desperately needed.
However, what began as a way to manage her health issues soon spiraled into full-blown dependency.
It started off as a treatment, but addiction crept in slowly.
In the interview with Susan Makula Bujjingo, Chandiru criticised Ugandans for their lack of awareness and for the common misconception that addiction is solely tied to substances like marijuana.
What people don’t understand is that addiction can be anything. I say this not in a bad way but I think sometimes Ugandans are stupid because when you talk about addiction, they always think of marijuana. They forget that people can be addicted to anything—phones, shopping, pornography, surgeries, or even beverages.
She also expressed her disappointment with the way her addiction was perceived in the media and by the public.
Many assumed her struggles were a direct result of the pressures of the music industry, but Jackie was quick to clarify that her addiction had nothing to do with her career.
When I came out and announced my addiction problem, Ugandans decided to mould it that it was because of the music business. The truth is, music had nothing to do with my addiction—it was a health problem.
