On December 9, 2022, professor Edmond Kagambe assumed office as the new Associate Professor of Mountains of Moon University (MMU), Following the recommendation of the Ministry of Public Service validation report regarding staff placement. Also, the Government of Uganda gave him a medal on Labour Day for dilligent and distinguished service in the education ministry. A father of five (triplets and two additional children), he shared success tips for parents of young people who desire to excel. 

I have taught for 18 years at university level (Nairobi, Moi and Mountains of the Moon universities), 10 of which were at a senior lecturer. I served as deputy vice-chancellor (academics and administration) of the Mountains of the Moon University for 10 years. Currently the university secretary of MMU, I have contributed to the reshaping and developing MMU as a community-founded university from scratch to where it is now.

As parents, we want the best for our children. It is our responsibility to pass onto our children who are the future generation important values and traditions that have been in our families for decades or centuries. This raises an important question: Can our guidance as parents based on traditional family values still be valid and adequate? How can we encourage our children to live meaningful and satisfactory lives in the future? As parents, we are anxious about the quick pace of change that is in the world. What are the values and skills the adults of tomorrow will need?

Professor Kagambe says its the responsibility of parents to pass onto children who are the future generation important values and traditions that have been in families for decades or centuries.

Parents always hope to instil big-picture values in their children as they grow and explore the world around them. The first 10 years of a child’s life are a window for a parent to instil core values that will define the child’s life beyond the adult life cycle. A parent’s role is not limited to giving solutions, but to listening to their children’s needs and brainstorming reasonable solutions with them. Parents must prepare children to be hard working, disciplined, honest, accountable in life, respectful, determined, open communicators and God-fearing. Ultimately, the job of instilling values in our child becomes less overwhelming if we view it as an ongoing, progressive process. Many moments throughout each day can become teaching moments — and it's never too late to start. Decide on which values are most important to you that you want to pass on to our child. Then, look for ways to teach and reinforce them daily. With enough practice, praise, and encouragement, inculcated values become second-nature to us as parents and our children.

Advice to the youth

The youths are the strength and backbone of society. The youthful stage of development is the best period of your life. You need to understand your potential and not waste it by engaging in useless activities. Instead, understand the need of the hour and use your power and energy towards the betterment of the world. Keep yourself and others from harm. Aim high, work hard, be passionate, and keep your eyes open for the future. Real success in life requires one to make good choices. It demands the willingness to learn, passion, commitment, persistence, hunger for knowledge and patience. As individuals, we often fail to succeed in life because we pursue the wrong goals.  Sometimes, we are rejected over and over again in life, but in the process, we learn a lot about ourselves and about the nature of rejection—and how to turn rejection into opportunities.

As told to Umar Nsubuga