Core principles of parenting are timeless, says Mama Tendo

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As the world evolves and generations shift, parenting has become an increasingly complex undertaking. Technology, work-life demands, and shifting social structures have introduced new challenges for families. But at the heart of it all, some things remain unchanged.

Catherine Ruhweza, commonly known as Mama Tendo, is a maternal health advocate and founder and CEO of the Mama Tendo Foundation — a  faith-based charity that focuses on family, child upbringing and maternal health.

In an interview with New Vision, she says the core principles of parenting — love, compassion, responsibility, faith, and hard work —are timeless.

“Yes, the world is changing — education systems, job markets, family dynamics — but values like love and responsibility never go out of style. Parenting principles are like the Ten Commandments; they don’t change," she says.

'Regulate your ambitions'

Ruhweza’s insights could not have come at a better time. The Mama Tendo Parenting Symposium & Kids Book Launch is set for July 31 at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, will be the chief guest at the event, which is expected to bring together over 1,500 participants, including parents, educators, churches, mosques, NGOs, and private companies.

The symposium will feature expert speakers, including Dr Ruth Senyonyi, a counselling psychologist, and Dr Godfrey Siu, a family and parenting researcher at Makerere University.

Five children’s books authored by Ruhweza addressing identity, values, and safety will be launched at next Thursday's event.

“Children today are asking tough questions. Our books help families talk about self-worth, purpose, and personal safety, topics often avoided at home," she says.

Catherine Ruhweza, CEO Mama Tendo Foundation speaking during the Launch of the Mama Tendo Parenting Symposium and Kids book at Vision Group Head Office on July 14, 2025. (Photo by Miriam Najjingo)

Beyond the symposium, Ruhweza is calling for a national rethink of parenting priorities. She says modern families are facing mounting pressure, especially when both parents are working, and children are often raised by housemaids.

Her advice is clear: “Regulate your ambitions".

Adding: "Raising responsible children is as noble as earning a PhD. Strong economies thrive on strong families. Look at all families that have built wealth, examine their children and how they nurtured their children or even how they are parenting now.”

Ruhweza says parenting is less about perfection and more about intentionality.

“You must be willing to evaluate yourself daily. Are you seeking parenting communities that challenge and stretch your thinking? Growth in parenting comes from being intentional.

“We have abandoned traditions that strengthened our families. The race for success is isolating us. But culture and modern research agree: children thrive in consistent, emotionally warm environments," says Ruhweza.

'We welcome fathers'

Maama Tendo Foundation has shifted from solely supporting mothers to involving fathers in its programming, with the father's involvement seen as critical and key in parenting.

“One man’s presence can alter a child’s destiny. Research shows father absence correlates with juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, and even incarceration. We welcome fathers to our symposium. We need them. Uganda needs them," says Ruhweza.

“When a father starts showing up, or a child opens up to their mother, that is a victory. Parenting is not about fireworks. It’s preventive work. You may not see dramatic change overnight, but you are averting disasters silently.”

Stakeholders during the Launch of the Mama Tendo Parenting Symposium and Kids book at Vision Group Head Office on July 14, 2025. (Photo by Miriam Najjingo)

The genesis

Ruhweza’s parenting advocacy began more than two decades ago — not as an institution, but as a pregnancy column in New Vision. The column, which tackled culturally sensitive issues around motherhood, sparked overwhelming public response and laid the foundation for what would become the Mama Tendo Foundation.

“We started with writing, but I quickly realised there was a deeper need,” she recalls. “People were yearning for connection, knowledge, and support. That’s when we moved from the page to in-person seminars and counselling, and that’s how Mama Tendo was born."

Since then, the foundation has grown into a respected voice on family values and parenting in Uganda. It has organised seminars across Kampala, offered counselling services, and engaged various stakeholders in promoting a culture of intentional parenting.

Yet, Ruhweza sees a disconnect between what people say they value and where they invest their resources.

“Parents will spend lavishly on toys or weekend outings but hesitate to invest 25,000 shillings in a parenting workshop. That is hypocrisy we must confront. We say family matters, but are we willing to prioritise it with our time and money?”

Through the upcoming symposium and continued grassroots work, Ruhweza hopes to reignite a culture that sees parenting not as a secondary responsibility but as a national duty.

“Let us stop treating parenting as a side task,” she says.

“It’s the foundation of everything else. Be generous with your time, your presence, and your wisdom. A strong family builds a strong nation.”