As Uganda joined the rest of the world in marking International Men’s Day, the government yesterday urged men to have only the number of children they can support financially, physically, and emotionally.
Speaking at the inaugural Mwami (Mr) Summit yesterday, Mr Mondo Kyateka, the assistant commissioner for youth and children’s affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, said men are meant to be the pillars of their homes. However, the rising number of sperm donors has contributed to an increase in single mothers and street children.
‘Produce only children you can afford to take care of and shower them with love, care, protection, nurturing, and be in their lives. You have no contractual obligation to produce and fill the world because populating the world is everyone’s responsibility, so produce if you are ready to be a father,’ he said. The Mwami Summit, which brought together more than 100 men, boys, and women, was organised by Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative (ROM) and Roses of Mbuya Social Enterprise (ROMSE) under the theme: Empowering Men as Role Models for Stronger Families and Communities.
Ms Josephine Kaleebi, the ROM executive director, said the summit was dedicated to celebrating men’s health, wellbeing, and responsible masculinity and enabled men and boys from Kampala’s underserved communities to engage in transformative dialogues, wellness screenings, mentorship, and skill-building activities.
‘.in many of our communities, men and boys face unique challenges, including mental health stigma, unemployment, lack of positive role models, and social pressures that perpetuate harmful masculinity norms. The Mwami Summit creates a safe, empowering platform to: promote emotional wellness and physical health, champion responsible and respectful fatherhood in relationships, foster mentorship and community leadership, and challenge and redefine traditional masculinity in positive ways,’ she said.
Mr Henry Semakula, the principal education officer at the Ministry of Education and Sports, said there is an urgent need to dispel myths around gender roles.
He emphasised that subject choices shouldn’t be based on gender.