Act deliberately, grow a generation of responsible fathers — Men told

KAMPALA - Fathers have been encouraged to be part of their children’s lives physically, financially and emotionally, citing that many have run after money, neglecting the father figure in the lives of their children. 

Few fathers are both financially supportive and emotionally connected to their children, said Aggrey David Kibenge, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Permanent Secretary, accusing several fathers of abandoning their roles to mothers.

“Fatherhood is a relationship, a process and an asset that transcends generations”, remarked Kibenge, insisting that one-sided parenting has an effect on the children even when they grow into adults.

He added, “Children benefit from the nurturing presence of fathers in their lives.”

Kibinge also accused some fathers of being unaware of the existence of their children, and many not knowing the number of children they have, insisting that “A man is not defined by the number of children, but by his responsibility.”

He challenged fathers to act deliberately and grow a generation of responsible fathers because their absence affects the children, who, he said, do the same to the next generations.

He made the remarks during a fathers’ meeting on Friday at Hotel Africana in Kampala in a speech that was read by Fred Ngabirano, the Commissioner Youth and Children Affairs at the gender ministry.

Fred Ngabirano, the Commissioner Youth and Children Affairs at the gender ministry, addressing participants during the Responsible, Engaged and Loving (REAL) Fathers annual learning conference at Hotel Africana in Kampala. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)

Meanwhile, Lydia Wasula Najjemba, chairperson Responsible, Engaged and Loving (REAL) Fathers Initiative, said the boy child is ignored, resulting into irresponsible fathers to the future generation.

“Most of the men think they are supposed to provide for the children in terms of financial needs, but they are forgetting the emotional element, which leaves a scar in the lives of these children forever,” she said.

Responsible, Engaged and Loving (REAL) Fathers is an evidence-based, community-led mentoring program for fathers of toddler-aged children that teaches positive parenting and nonviolent discipline.

The program supports men across Uganda in nonviolent parenting techniques and home-based early childhood development (ECD), among others.

This program is being conducted so far in 71 districts, including regions of Ankole, Bunyoro, Buganda, Teso and Lango, with a goal of increasing young fathers’ ability to positive parenting and respectful couple communication techniques to their children and family.