The First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni has urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and government institutions to work together to equip young people with the values and life skills needed to navigate health, social and personal challenges.
In a speech delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa at the Office of the President on Wednesday during the launch of the National Framework for Education on Health and Life Skills, Janet said the country must look beyond academic achievement and prioritise the holistic development of children and young people.
“Our children need to understand who they are, the worth and value of their lives, the responsibilities that come with growing up, and the choices they must make to fulfil their God-given potential,” she said.
Janet said Uganda faces several challenges affecting young people's well-being, including teenage pregnancy, early marriages, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, violence against children, alcohol and substance abuse, malnutrition and poor sanitation.
She also mentioned rising mental health challenges, the misuse of digital technology and inadequate life skills for responsible decision-making.
Janet cited figures showing that 50.5% of Uganda's population is below the age of 19, describing young people as a critical force in the country's social and economic transformation.
She said Uganda's future would depend largely on the values, character, choices and habits developed by this generation.
“The kind of Uganda we shall have tomorrow will largely be determined by the visions, values, character, choices, life skills, and healthy habits that we are helping them to develop today,” she said.
Janet argued that formal education should be complemented by lessons that help young people understand their purpose, identify their aspirations and appreciate their responsibilities to their families, communities and country.
She identified truth, integrity, faith, hard work, care for others and patriotism as important foundations for a purposeful life.
Janet also called on adults to demonstrate the values they seek to instill in children, saying parents, teachers, political leaders, religious institutions, civil society organisations, the media and influencers all have a responsibility to guide the younger generation.
“If we want them to be honest, we must be honest. If we want them to respect others, we must treat others with respect. If we want them to be disciplined, we must demonstrate discipline,” she said.
On sexual health, she emphasised the importance of self-control and responsible choices, noting that sexual decisions can affect young people's health, education, relationships and future families. She encouraged parents and trusted adults to provide truthful guidance, listen to young people's concerns and offer patient mentorship.
Tayebwa pledged Parliament's support for implementing the framework and asked the Minister of Education and Sports to present a statement on the policy to enable MPs to debate it and build consensus around its implementation.
“I request the Minister of Education, you extract a statement out of this policy and you present it on the floor of Parliament. We debate it so that there is a buy-in of all Members of Parliament,” he said.
Government Chief Whip and former Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, who chaired the multi-sectoral committee that developed the framework, also pledged support for its implementation.
Aceng described the framework as age- and culturally appropriate for young Ugandans, saying effective implementation could help change their mindsets and encourage them to play an instrumental role in achieving Uganda's Vision 2040.
“This is a good framework for young people,” she said.
Aceng added that, in her capacity as Government Chief Whip, she would champion the framework's adoption among National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs in Parliament.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, also pledged support for the initiative.
