Government to Launch National Family Policy to Fix the Family
Reporter Kizindo Lule
Kampala-Uganda:
The Government of Uganda is set to unveil a National Family Policy by the end of year as part of efforts to strengthen the Family Unit, which Experts say, is the “most important Unit of Governance.”
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the Third Annual Safety Holiday Learning Camp for Children—Ekitimba, Mr. Mondo Kyateka, Assistant Commissioner for Youth and Children affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, emphasized the urgent need to re-establish the Family as a cornerstone of Child Protection, Values Education, and National Development.
“We want to reincarnate that Institution called the Family,” Kyateka said. “If we can fix the Family, we can’t fix the Country.”
The upcoming National Family Policy will outline Guidelines on Parental Responsibilities, Family bonding, Digital Parenting, and Community-Level Child Protection protection.
Among other things, the Policy will encourage Parents to spend Meaningful Time with their Children—a kin to the Traditional “Kyoto” Sessions where Families would Sit and openly discuss Life, Safety, and Values.
Kyateka called on Local Governments, Civil Society, Religious Institutions, and Parents to join hands in Safeguarding Uganda’s Children.
“The Central Government cannot be everywhere,” he said. “But we have LC structures, Secretaries for Children, Police, Teachers, and Faith Leaders—we can all do something.”
He also criticized the breakdown of Family Values and the growing number of “internally displaced Parents”—Mothers and Fathers Physically Absent from their Children’s Lives.
“We have people producing children like they’re on a contract—without Care, Intention, or Planning,” he added.
He also noted that 42% of pregnancies in Uganda are Accidental, 60% of which stem from Teenage pPegnancies.
“Ekitimba” Safety Holiday Learning Camp, is a two-day conference scheduled for 29th–30th August 2025 at Mama FM in Bukoto, Kisasi,a Kampala Suburb is organized by High Sound for Children Uganda, the event will gather Children, Parents, Teachers, and Child Protection Experts to equip the young with Practical Skills to safely navigate the Digital World.
Hadija Mwanje,the Executive Director of HS for Children Uganda, observed that over 40% of Ugandan children aged 12–17 use the internet—mostly on shared smartphones—and more than half access it weekly.
While Digital Platforms offer Educational and Creative Opportunities, they also expose children to cyber-bullying, Online Predators, Scams, and harmful Content.
“We are raising children in a Digital World that is evolving faster than our Orotective Systems,” Mwanje said. “Children who go online often are unsupervised, and the threats are Real.”
A recent Safe Online global report (July 2025) revealed that two images or videos of child sexual abuse are shared online every second, with 26,800 reported cases of online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) last year alone. Suprisingly only 31% of victims could recognise the danger during their first interaction with an Abuser.
SP Innocent Agaba attached to Naguru Police Headquarters, representing Uganda Police Force, emphasized that Parents are the first Gate-Keepers, especially since they are the ones providing Smartphones and Internet Access to their Children.
“You give your Children Gadgets but don’t guide them on how to use them. You’re funding their exposure without monitoring their Content,” Agaba said.
Agaba said, Police are enhancing Child Protection efforts by Training Officers, partnering with Organizations like UNICEF and Plan International, and encouraging Communities to be proactive in reporting and supporting victims of Online Harm.
He reminded Participants that enforcement must be accompanied by Parental Engagement.
“When children are harmed, they often don’t trust their Parents enough to report. that needs to change.”
Ms. Gift Nakayenga, Founder -Tekel Health Foundation, warned that excessive Screen Time and the fast-paced Digital Culture are contributing to a Mental Health Crisis among Children, with rising Cases of Lleep Disorders, and Identity Crises.
“Our Children’s Brains are being trained for Instant Gratification. We need to slow down, set Limits, and build Thick Mental Muscles,” Nakayenga said. “We are the captains of the Ship—Parents must reclaim their Leadership.”
She pointed to Content shared on platforms like TikTok, where Ultra-short videos have rewired attention Spans, affecting even how Children eat, Socialize, and Learn.
Other Participants-Stacy Achen and Joselyn Apio,both Ambassadors of High Sound for Children and students at St. Lawrence London College Maya, emphasized the importance of Parents bringing their children to participate in Programs that teach Online Safety.
Tabitha Ssubi, Programs Manager at Raising Voice, also stressed the need for parents to spare time to talk with their Children, noting that regular conversations can help build trust and awareness around Online Threats.
In Conclusion,the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, Religious Leaders supporting “Ekitimba Camp”are calling for a comprehensive National Strategy for Online Child Safety. Their Call to Action includes: 1. For Government to launch a National Child Online Safety Strategy aligned with the African Union’s policy.
- Operationalize the Data Protection and Privacy Act (DPPA) for children.
- Strengthen police investigations, judiciary processes, and digital forensic units.
- Make online safety part of the national school curriculum.
- For Parents to Co-use devices and talk frequently with children about online risks.
- Learn to use privacy settings, spot warning signs, and report harmful content.
- Attend and support events like Ekitimba Camp.
- For Civil Society to train community leaders, support hotlines, and push for legislative reforms.
- For Faith-Based Institutions to use platforms to preach online safety and offer survivor support.
“Uganda can make the internet safer for every child,” said Hope Nankunda, Executive Director of Raising Teenagers Uganda. “It will take empowered Families, Skilled Enforcement, Informed Schools, and compassionate Community Leadership.”
The Ekitimba Safety Holiday Learning Camp has brought together Stakeholders from the Ministry of Gender, Police, Civil Society Non.Governmental Organisations, and Mental Health Advocates. The Camp is designed not only to raise Awareness but also to offer Concrete Tools for Safer Online Engagement.
