Growspirations Uganda, a child and parenting support initiative that has been operating for the last seven years, is set to launch a major Parenting Advocacy Initiative on Tuesday, November 25 at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
The event, which will take place in the evening to allow working parents to attend, aims to strengthen Uganda’s culture of community parenting and bridge the growing gaps between children, parents, teachers and the wider society.
Founded by a group of teachers, Growspirations began as a small, child-led effort to support children who were struggling at school.
According to Annette Mpuuga, the organisation’s director of operations, the idea was born when one child faced a challenge and needed support that teachers alone could not provide.
“When the child felt well parented, she brought friends on board. As the numbers grew, we started something called ‘Teachers on Call’ so that when a child came with a problem, a teacher or parent could be called in to support,” she said.
Over time, Growspirations expanded into schools, where the team held talks and seminars with pupils. But it soon became clear that most children’s concerns revolved around their parents.
This led the organisation to introduce parenting as its second pillar.
“The children were receiving support from many people, but the parents were not getting any support. So we spoke to both groups and realised that parents also needed guidance,” Mpuuga noted.
“Parenting is the new way to a great nation.”
Today, Growspirations focuses on children aged 8 to 20 years, an age group they believe is most open to guidance but also most vulnerable to negative influences.
The organisation does not work with families individually but reaches parents through school events and community engagements.
The upcoming launch will officially introduce Growspirations' Parenting Advocacy Initiative, which calls on all adults, regardless of profession, to play a role in raising children.
“Parenting does not necessarily have to be done by the biological parent. If you are in entertainment, in public service, in school—come and we parent. Every child in the community affects us,” Mpuuga said.
Growspirations’ Executive Director, Cynthia Baitwa, echoed this message, warning that Uganda cannot rely on old parenting approaches in a rapidly changing world.
“The old style of parenting cannot relate with these new children,” she said.
“Parents need to understand the world their children live in if we are to offer purposeful parenting.”
Baitwa noted several challenges the organisation has faced, including parents’ “false confidence” in outdated parenting styles, the overwhelming influence of technology on children, and the blame game between parents and teachers.
She also stressed the need for policymakers to prioritise parenting as a national concern.
“Everything we are talking about, corruption, lawlessness, promiscuity, filth, can be changed if we are parenting. It is a cancer eating us slowly,” she said.
Growspirations hopes the new initiative will encourage society to embrace community parenting, where every adult looks out for every child.
“We want all children to be cautious of the adult eye behind them or beside them, not only their biological parents,” Baitwa said in her parting message.
The launch at Sheraton Hotel is expected to bring together parents, teachers, youth workers, policymakers and members of the public who believe in building a more supportive environment for children and young people.