By Joseph Mary Buwule
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called for stronger, peaceful and supportive families, saying stable homes are critical to raising responsible children and building a better future for Uganda.
Tayebwa said the family remains one of the most important institutions in society because children largely develop their values, behaviour and character from the environment in which they are raised.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at the 13th Women Forum of the National Prayer Breakfast held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The forum brought together women Members of Parliament, women from the private sector, cultural leaders including Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, and visiting dignitaries from other countries.
Tayebwa warned that the breakdown of families can have far-reaching consequences for children and society, particularly when children grow up in homes characterised by conflict, instability and substance abuse.
“I do believe that in whatever we are doing, the institution of the family is the important institution that will shine,” Tayebwa said.
He said parents have a responsibility to create homes where children can grow up in a safe and supportive environment, noting that the conduct of parents can significantly influence the behaviour and values of their children.
Tayebwa cautioned that children exposed to dysfunctional family environments may struggle to develop the discipline and values required to become responsible members of society.
“If you have a broken family full of drunkards, then the children are not going to grow in the right way,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker urged both men and women to take responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in their homes, stressing that building a strong family should not be left to one partner.
He also spoke strongly against domestic violence, saying violence should never be justified on the basis of whether the victim is a man or a woman.
“The standard should be the same,” Tayebwa said.
He called for equal standards of responsibility, respect and peaceful conduct within families, arguing that a stable home requires both partners to contribute to creating an environment where children and adults can thrive.
Integrity Starts With the Individual
Tayebwa also linked strong families to personal integrity and responsibility, urging Ugandans to begin by examining their own conduct before demanding accountability from others.
“Integrity is not for other people. Integrity is for you. You start with yourself,” he said.
He said parents and other adults must demonstrate the values they expect children to adopt, noting that children learn not only from what they are told but also from what they see happening around them.
The Deputy Speaker argued that the values nurtured within individual families eventually have an impact on the wider community and country.
According to Tayebwa, building a responsible generation therefore requires parents and other adults to take seriously their role as examples to children.
Prayer Must Be Accompanied by Action
Tayebwa further encouraged families to place prayer at the centre of their lives, but emphasised that faith must be accompanied by hard work, responsibility and positive action.
He said national development cannot be achieved through prayer alone, urging citizens to translate their faith into productive work and responsible citizenship.
“A country is built by people who can pray that prayer and then go and work,” he said.
His message linked family stability, personal integrity and national development, with the Deputy Speaker arguing that responsible citizens are nurtured within families that promote good values, discipline, mutual respect and accountability.
Recognition of Women’s Role
Tayebwa also recognised the important role women play in families and communities, describing them as significant sources of support and prayer for their households and the nation.
He noted that women carry substantial responsibilities in raising children, supporting families and participating in community activities.
The Deputy Speaker called for greater appreciation of women’s contribution, while urging both men and women to share responsibility for building peaceful and supportive homes.
He said stronger families require cooperation, mutual respect and personal responsibility from all members.
The remarks come amid continued public discussions in Uganda about family welfare, parenting, domestic violence and the conditions in which children are raised. Tayebwa’s message placed the family at the centre of the broader responsibility of nurturing citizens who can contribute positively to Uganda’s social and economic development.