Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has described stable and supportive homes anchored in prayer as essential to raising responsible children and building a stronger country.
Tayebwa made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at the 13th Women Forum of the National Prayer Breakfast at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The forum brought together Women Members of Parliament, women from the private sector, including Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, and visiting dignitaries from other countries.
Tayebwa said the family remains one of the most important institutions in society and warned that the breakdown of families can have consequences for children, communities and the country.
“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 children are likely to be affected by the environment in which they grow up, stressing the importance of families working together and creating homes where both parents and children can thrive.
“If you have a broken family full of drunkards, then the children are not going to grow in the right way,” he said.
Tayebwa urged men and women to take responsibility for creating peaceful homes, explaining that the same standards of conduct should apply to both sexes.
He condemned domestic violence in all its forms, saying violence should not be excused depending on whether the victim is a man or a woman. “The standard should be the same,” he said.
Further, the Deputy Speaker also linked stronger families to personal responsibility and integrity. He urged Ugandans to examine their own conduct before demanding accountability from others.
“Integrity is not for other people. Integrity is for you. You start with yourself,” he said.
Tayebwa said prayer should be at the centre of building families and that it should translate into responsible action. Nation-building, he explained, requires citizens to combine faith with hard work and a commitment to their responsibilities.
“A country is built by people who can pray that prayer and then go and work,” he said.
He also recognised the contribution women make to families and communities, describing them as important sources of support and prayer for their families and the nation.
Tayebwa said women often carry significant responsibilities in raising families and participating in community activities and called for greater appreciation of their contribution.
