eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Public Health Research 2327-6703 2025-08-12 13 4 177 183 10.12691/ajphr-13-4-5 AJPHR20251345 article Maria Assumpta Komugabe makomugabe@gmail.com 1 Mugabe Bernardine 2 Itamar Shabtai 2 Center for Information Systems and Technology Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California USA Uganda Martyrs University Faculty of Health Sciences Kampala, Uganda This study investigated how stress-related and demographic factors predict mental health challenges among postgraduate students at Makerere University, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of 391 Master¡¯s and Ph.D. students was analyzed using binary logistic regression. Significant predictors of mental health challenges included female gender, certain marital statuses, non¨Cfull-time employment, financial stress affecting academic performance, limited support systems, infrequent exercise, strained student¨Csupervisor relationships, maladaptive coping strategies, perceived social isolation, and dissatisfaction with supervision. The model explained 73.3% of the variance in outcomes (Cox & Snell R² = .733). Findings emphasize the multifaceted interplay of academic, financial, relational, and psychosocial stressors contributing to psychological distress among postgraduate students. The results support the need for targeted institutional interventions in academic advising, financial assistance, mental health services, and peer/social support. https://pubs.sciepub.com/ajphr/13/4/5/ajphr-13-4-5.pdf Academic stress Binary logistic regression Depression Makerere University Mental health Postgraduate students Psychosocial factors