KAMULI — Government, institutions, and communities have been challenged to reinvent and refocus on the institution of marriage, as well as to strengthen family and parenting units, to raise people with integrity, substance, and commitment.
The call was made by Rev Fr Fred Jenga, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, while delivering Apostolic Blessings to Tarsis and Margaret Nabigedde, who were celebrating 61 years of Holy Matrimony at Namisambya Cell, Northern Division, Kamuli.
The Apostolic Blessings were issued by Pope Francis during the Holy Year 2023. The Holy Father warmly imparted the requests for the blessings, invoking a fresh outpouring of heavenly graces.
“I recommend you to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary that by witness of generous and faithful hearts the flame of hope may always shine brightly in our world,” the blessings read.
Fr. Jenga observed that moral degeneration and marriage breakups are rising and becoming an acceptable norm, even in developed countries where contractual marriages and rights-based approaches are increasingly encouraged.
“We need to refocus and reinvent the marriage and family institutions so that we rediscover our norms, values, and practices that bound families together and enforced responsibility and parenting to stop moral degeneration and escalating marriage breakups,” Jenga said.
Speaking on how they managed to stay together for 61 years, the Nabigeddes blamed marriage breakages and family violence on computers, TikTok, and social media, which have replaced intimate relations and open communication, creating space for conflict.
“The devil manifesting as TikTok, laptops, and social media has ruined marriages and stalled families as couples and parents get obsessed and preoccupied with them, leaving no time to have intimate relations and bond with the family,” Margaret Nabigedde said.
She cautioned couples against rumors and third parties and urged them to build relationships based on mutual understanding, transparency, and forgiveness.
She explained that whenever her husband, a builder, was delayed or held up, he would quickly send a message or explain upon arrival.
“He would also do housework, which stereotypes do not, and he was a very good cook—a job traditionally known for women,” she added.
Tarsis Nabigedde pointed out that most marriages today do not last long because they are built on false hopes, material gains, and lavish ceremonies intended to impress the public rather than stabilize the marriage.
“We got married and wedded in poverty, raised our children with hope, and built our trust together each passing day," he said.
"Today, our children have paid us back a hundredfold with pride, happiness, and integrity. Learn to manage differences as a couple and always give your children hope, courage, and praise. Marriage is a wonderful learning commitment that compels us to take care of one another."
Their son, John Kairu, described their parents as an embodiment of parenting values, strict disciplinarians invested in education and religious upbringing.
“They raised us God-fearing, workaholics, with high integrity and good moral and spiritual values, which have made us succeed in the competitive world of work,” he said.
The anniversary was graced by members of the Busoga Kyabazinga Kingdom, media personalities, and elders.