Porn Addiction: The Silent Struggle Plaguing Ugandan Youth

So today, let’s talk about a random chap. His name is Marvin—24 years old, three years into living alone in a varsity hostel, fully embracing the independence and freedom that come with it. Life is rolling…

But don’t be fooled, his inner story cuts deep. And when you hear it, chances are, you might just see yourself in him.

He’s that typical guy, always glued to his phone screen—just like you. Or, to be more precise, he’s that guy who enjoys watching a bit of nudity on his phone secretly—just like you, no pretence. The internet, a swirling mix of the good, the bad, and the downright ugly, has served him well in that regard. We all know the kind of content floating around on X, Instagram, Tumblr, or Reddit—so I’m not here to state the obvious; I am preaching to the converted one. Since none of you are from Pluto or some other of those far-off planets, you already know the kind of shows and movies streaming on Netflix. Maybe you even have a favourite: Beauty in Black, P-Valley, All the Queens Men, name them. National TVs are not helping, and neither are music videos.

The sad part about Marvin’s story? Through that phone screen he, like Proverbs 7:7 young man, is walking straight into a lethal trap that will pierce his heart. He is taking a path of serious addiction to something that might consume him entirely: porn!

But the story doesn’t begin there: Marvin, was once smart, focused, and full of dreams—Oh…I want to be a doctor or a lawyer, to heal people or fight for justice. He burned with purpose; his notebooks were once filled with plans for a bright future. I want to be great; I have to be great. But then, porn slipped in—quiet, subtle, and step by step, it pulled him away. Let me show you how it happened, so you can avoid the same trap.

Step 1: The First Sight!
It started small. Marvin was in his room one night, which he shared with Ken, his big brother, studying late into the night. The fluorescent bulb flickered above, casting shaky light, while fireflies danced in its glow. His mother was in the kitchen, preparing the evening meal, and his father watching the news—too tired to check on him.

That evening, while searching for I-don’t-remember-what under the bed, he stumbled upon Ken’s Playboy magazine.

His innocence left him that very minute.

Step 2: The Habit Forms
The magazine revealed a secret—one that changed everything. A certain website promised more of what he had just seen. And Marvin? He didn’t waste a second.

He typed it in, hit enter, and there, before his wide, oval-shaped eyes, was a world he never knew existed. Women of all colours, shapes, and races—stark naked in videos and pictures—playing every tribe of intercourse. And by that, I mean exactly what you’re thinking. He was smirking his lips with tears of excitement.

Then came the next discovery: he could download the videos. Watch them later. Keep them.

One video became five. Then ten. Then more. And soon, he learned something else—how to touch himself. And when he did, it felt good. Really good.

Before he knew it, whole nights were lost in a haze of watching and ‘playing with oneself’. At first, it felt like stress relief. A quick escape. But then came the guilt—the heavy, crushing kind.

He prayed to stop. He swore to delete it all. But the next night, the pull was stronger. And every time he gave in, it became harder to stop.

Step 3: Losing Control
At 19, Mavin entered university, and porn followed him there. He was supposed to shine. Instead, his room became a hiding place to masturbate. Books lay unopened. Lectures blurred into background noise. His mind became blank for the most part. The porn got darker, more extreme. The categories of porn were weirder by the day, with each video. And his mind got crazy fantasies and fetishes. The high wasn’t enough anymore. He’d finish watching and feel hollow. Friends noticed a change in behaviours. Deep inside, he knew he was stuck.

Step 4: Numbing the Pain
By 20, watching wasn’t enough. The guilt, the loneliness—it was too much. So, he looked for ways to escape.

First, it was cheap tot-packs from the corner shop. Then, drugs from Bondya, a dealer near campus. Porn and drugs became one. His hands shook in class. His voice cracked when he spoke. He grew thin and weak.

One night, he called home, voice shaking with tears:
“Mama, I wanted to save people—now I can’t even save myself.” Silence. More silence. The old woman with a heart problem kicked the infamous bucket.

Step 5: Rock Bottom
At 23, Marvin was gone. Friends drifted away. Family stopped asking. He stayed locked in, skipping meals, lost in an endless loop of watching, jerk-offs, guilt, regret, and depression.

Now, at 24, he sleeps in his room alone, on the floor. His beddings? Story for another day. He’s just a shadow now, his jaw bones desperately pierce his cheeks.

Why This Matters to You
Maybe you’re 18, or 21. Maybe you balance school or a job. Your phone is always nearby. Your parents might be too busy hustling to notice. Maybe they’re far away, and you’re standing alone.

Church? Mosque? Maybe you’ve stopped going. Your elders? They don’t understand your world.

So, when stress, boredom, or loneliness hit, your phone is right there. You scroll, you watch, you think, ‘Just this once.’ But that’s the lie.

The Hidden Costs of Porn
Here’s what porn doesn’t tell you:

1. It traps you: Watching leads to acting. Again, and again. Guilt piles up, but you’re stuck.
2. It weakens your mind: Studies show too much porn increases anxiety, depression, and dark thoughts.
3. It destroys your drive: The Journal of Sexual Medicine confirms it—excessive porn kills motivation and ruins intimacy.
4. It rewires your brain: What once excited you starts to feel dull. You crave more extreme content. Relationships feel “boring.”
5. It drains your time and money: Premium sites, paid content—it’s a slow financial bleed. Meanwhile, your real-life goals slip away.
6. It isolates you: Friends fade, family feels distant. You become trapped in a lonely cycle.
7. It makes real love harder: You struggle to connect with real people. The screen rewires you.
8. It feeds a dark industry: Many videos involve trafficking and exploitation. Your clicks keep it alive.

How to Break Free
You’re not powerless. You can escape. Here’s how:

1. Start small: Set a rule: No phone at night. Play music, read, or go for a walk instead.
2. Block the temptation: Use apps like Cold Turkey or Freedom to block porn sites.
3. Talk to someone: a friend, a sibling, a mentor—anyone. Silence strengthens the habit.
4. Replace the habit: Every time you feel the urge, do something different:
5. Remember your future.
6. Stay accountable: Find someone who will check in on you. No judgment—just support.

You Are Worth More
Porn offers a quick escape but leaves you empty. You are too precious to waste your life on a screen.

The world is full of distractions. But you? You are stronger than you think.

I see you rising, clear and whole. Take this as if I’m passing you tea and a quiet hope: Step back. Breathe. Guard your heart.

You are enough. Don’t let anything tell you otherwise.

Let’s see the comments…

Compiled by Mwesigwa Joshua