Kaziimba rebukes mothers for not breastfeeding

BREASTFEEDING    RELIGION     PARENTING   FAMILY PLANNING

BUIKWE - The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has criticized women who refuse to breastfeed their babies.

Kaziimba said it's unfortunate that women today are fond of feeding the babies on goat's or cow's milk, which is not as valuable as the breast milk.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while preaching to the congregation at Buikwe district headquarters.  Kaziimba was in Buikwe, his district of origin for his first service before officially embarking on his work as the ninth Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.

Kaziimba was enthroned on March 1, at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala, taking on the mantle from the Archbishop emeritus  Stanley Ntagali.

It is alleged that some women don't want to breastfeed their children, claiming that their breasts will lose shape. Others say they are so busy at work to the extent that they can't save time for breastfeeding.

Kaziimba said breastfeeding has many advantages including protection from regular illnesses and reducing infant mortality rate, among others.

Archbishop Kaziimba immunizing a child

 
"My mother gave birth to the child who follows me when I was 11 years; I, therefore, got enough time to breastfeed. I would even go and play football, come back and ask for the breast milk. I even dictated on either to suckle the right or left one," he said.

Kaziimba noted that he grew taller just because he was breastfed well adding that children who are fed on animals' milk get stunted because they frequently fall sick.

He added: "For the 11 years, I spent in Mityana diocese as their bishop, I never fell sickness."

Archbishop Kaziimba speaking to the health workers from Kawolo hospital

 
Family planning

On family planning, Kaziimba stressed the fact that God called us (humans) to save lives but not to destroy it. He added that although he is a family planning champion, he does not support abortion.

"Last year in a New York conference, I frankly told the World my stand on abortion because there are innocent souls that are going to be killed yet they would be of help if given an opportunity to grow," he said.

Archbishop Kaziimba blessing a child with disability Lillian Nakisanja who is in Primary Five at International Needs School

 
He also cautioned stepmothers who mistreat their stepchildren saying that it should be stopped.

Kaziimba also highlighted the need to have the children immunized and follow all the right dozes at the right time.