Women leaders in Mpigi District have called upon fellow women to take a leading role in nurturing children with love for their country from an early age, saying this will help reduce the growing moral decay and criminal behaviour in society.
The remarks were made by Mpigi District Woman MP Teddy Nambooze and Amelia Kyambadde, the Member of Parliament for Mawokota North, during a women’s empowerment gathering held in Katende, Mpigi District.
The event was organised to encourage women to embrace their responsibilities in society and strengthen their role in shaping disciplined families and a better nation.
During the meeting, participants were sensitised on family responsibility, proper conduct, and ways of preserving dignity and respect in society, with emphasis placed on women as central figures in nation building.
The leaders noted that values instilled in children at home play a major role in determining whether society produces responsible citizens or individuals who later become a burden on the country.
While addressing the gathering, Teddy Nambooze criticised the increasing cases of indiscipline among young people, blaming what she described as poor parenting and negligence, particularly among mothers.
“We have failed our children. Nowadays even very young children speak and behave in shocking ways. Many are exposed to immoral content at an early age, others are drinking alcohol and abusing drugs while still young,” Nambooze said.
She argued that excessive pampering and fear of correcting children had contributed to moral decline among the youth.
“As mothers, we must not fear correcting our children. A child may hate you temporarily for disciplining them, but in the end they grow up understanding what is right and wrong. That is how we shall raise responsible citizens and future leaders,” she added.
Nambooze further linked corruption and poor leadership in the country to bad upbringing, saying many leaders who engage in corruption and criminal acts were not properly guided while growing up.
She urged women to begin shaping children’s character from infancy in order to secure a disciplined future generation for Uganda.
On her part, Amelia Kyambadde urged women to avoid unnecessary conflicts, political hatred and gossip, saying such distractions prevent them from focusing on family development and economic progress.
“We have abandoned our real responsibilities and concentrated on useless fights and political gossip instead of guiding our children and improving our homes,” Kyambadde said.
She encouraged women to embrace government development programmes and engage in productive income-generating activities, noting that Uganda offers many opportunities for hardworking citizens.
“Uganda is a good country with opportunities for everyone. Whether you make mats, clothes, food products or crafts, there is a market for your work. Women should focus on activities that improve their livelihoods instead of wasting time on unproductive issues,” she added.
Some of the women who attended the event expressed concern over the hardships they are facing after being evicted from roadside trading spaces following enforcement of trade order regulations.
However, they welcomed the guidance from leaders and pledged to implement the lessons shared during the meeting.
The event attracted various leaders, politicians and women representatives from different levels, with participants also showcasing handmade products including baskets, mats and crafts.
