First Lady calls for collective effort to equip young Ugandans with life skills
Mrs Museveni said the country must look beyond academic achievement and prioritise the holistic development of children and young people.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa delivering the First Lady's speech during the launch of the National Framework for Education on Health and Life Skills. (Photos by Richard Sanya)
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The First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, has implored parents, teachers, religious leaders and government institutions to work together to equip young people with the values and life skills needed to navigate health, social and personal challenges.
In a speech delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa at the Office of the President on Wednesday (October 28) during the launch of the National Framework for Education on Health and Life Skills, Mrs Museveni said the country must look beyond academic achievement and prioritise the holistic development of children and young people.
“Our children need to understand who they are, the worth and value of their lives, the responsibilities that come with growing up, and the choices they must make to fulfil their God-given potential,” she said.
The First Lady, who is also the substantive education minister, said Uganda faces several challenges affecting young people's well-being, including teenage pregnancy, early marriages, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, violence against children, alcohol and substance abuse, malnutrition and poor sanitation.
She also mentioned rising mental health challenges, the misuse of digital technology, and inadequate life skills for responsible decision-making.
Mrs Museveni said 50.5% of Uganda's population is below the age of 19, describing young people as a critical force in the country's social and economic transformation.
“The kind of Uganda we shall have tomorrow will largely be determined by the visions, values, character, choices, life skills, and healthy habits that we are helping them to develop today,” she said.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and, government chief whip Ruth Achieng during the event
She argued that formal education should be complemented by lessons that help young people understand their purpose, identify their aspirations and appreciate their responsibilities to their families, communities and the country.
The First Lady identified truth, integrity, faith, hard work, care for others and patriotism as important foundations for a purposeful life.
Mrs Museveni called on adults to demonstrate the values they seek to instill in children, saying parents, teachers, political leaders, religious institutions, civil society organisations, the media and influencers all have a responsibility to guide the younger generation.
“If we want them to be honest, we must be honest. If we want them to respect others, we must treat others with respect. If we want them to be disciplined, we must demonstrate discipline,” she said.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa launches the National Framework for Education on Health and Life Skills as Peter Ogwang State minister for Sports, government chief whip Ruth Achieng and Mercy Faith Lakisa State minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development Youth and Children Affairs look on
She encouraged parents and trusted adults to provide truthful guidance, listen to young people's concerns and offer patient mentorship.
On his part, Tayebwa pledged Parliament's support towards implementing the framework and asked the acting Minister of Education and Sports (Dr Chrysostom Muyingo) to present a statement on the policy to enable MPs to debate it and build consensus around its implementation.
“I request the Minister of Education to extract a statement out of this policy and present it on the floor of Parliament. We debate it so that there is a buy-in of all Members of Parliament,” he said.
Government Chief Whip and former Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, who chaired the multi-sectoral committee that developed the framework, also pledged support towards its implementation.
Aceng described the framework as age-and-culturally appropriate for young Ugandans, saying effective implementation could help change their mindsets and encourage them to play an instrumental role in achieving Uganda's Vision 2040. “This is a good framework for young people,” she said.
In her capacity as Government Chief Whip, Aceng said she would champion the framework's adoption among National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs in Parliament.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, also pledged to support the initiative.