Growspirations Uganda has called for a nationwide effort to strengthen parenting as a “societal imperative”, saying poor upbringing is at the centre of many of the behavioural and mental health challenges affecting communities today.
The call was made on Tuesday during the Empowered Generation Forum held at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, where education experts, psychologists, policy actors and security officials met to discuss the future of child development in Uganda.
The event featured the launch of several initiatives, including a Children’s Self-Help Book Series, the Voices of the Children podcast, and a Teenage Mentorship & Rehabilitation Centre aimed at supporting young people through adolescence.
The organisation also unveiled new training and mentorship programmes, a “Teachers on Call” service, and a support centre for counselling children and families.
Speaking at the event, Annette Mpuuga, the director of operations at Growspirations, said they were responding to a growing crisis in child upbringing that is now reflected at workplaces, in schools and in communities.
“We believe there is a glaring parenting gap in society. When companies complain about workers, when schools complain about parents, and when service providers treat people negatively, it shows that something went wrong during upbringing," she said.
Ms Mpuuga said the organisation wants parenting to be treated as everyone’s responsibility, not just that of biological parents.
“Whether you are in media, entertainment, education or community work, you can influence parenting. If we don’t fix this, it becomes a cancer affecting all of us,” she noted.
She urged parents not to fear sharing their challenges, saying open conversations can help them find practical solutions.
“There is no perfect parent. People should come into discussion groups so that together we create a well-parented society,” she said.
Former Agriculture Minister, Dr Victoria Sekitoloko said today’s parents face complex challenges worsened by social media, changing family structures and limited emotional support.
“Parenting today is extremely complicated. Our grandparents controlled the environment; now children are exposed to influences their parents cannot monitor,” Dr Sekitoloko said.
She highlighted the lack of attention to mental health in homes, schools and health facilities.
“We don’t even have language for mental issues. A child with a mental struggle meets a teacher who also has mental struggles. The pond is big,” she said, welcoming Growspirations’ efforts to build community-based support systems.
Sekitoloko added that parenting gaps eventually affect national leadership.
“Those children grow into leaders at every level. You don’t want a situation where the entire leadership is mentally unstable,” she warned.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Emilian Kayima, who heads the police’s information and publications department, said children’s behaviour is shaped by both genetics and the environment, and parents must pay attention to both.
“Children form opinions and behave based on their genes and how they are nurtured. Parents have a duty to guide them, but some parents are also struggling with emotional issues, abuse, drugs and single parenting," he said.
ACP Kayima said the police had strengthened the Child and Family Protection Department to support families, offering counselling, community outreaches and partnerships with shelters and professional counsellors.
“We want families to know where to report and be listened to respectfully..The media also has a role in raising concerns so we can work together on solutions," he said.
He noted that many children still lack safe and supportive environments despite having the right to live “healthy and happy” lives.
The Empowered Generation Forum highlighted urgent need for Ugandans to actively participate in shaping the future of children through collective responsibility, mentorship and supportive community structures.