By Darlington Mabonga
The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, has urged parents and family guardians to take greater responsibility for raising children and strengthening family values to help address rising moral challenges and violence in society.
Ssemogerere said strong families are important in shaping children’s behaviour, promoting discipline and preventing family breakdown.
He also called on parents to create homes where children can learn values such as love, respect, responsibility and care for others.
The archbishop’s message was delivered on his behalf by the Dean of Nakulabye Deanery, Msgr John Baptist Ssebayiga, during celebrations to mark 70 years of Mulago Catholic Parish.
The celebrations were held alongside a fundraising campaign for the construction of an adoration chapel at the parish under the theme, “You Will Be My Witness.”
Ssemogerere congratulated the parishioners on reaching the 70-year milestone, commending them for their contribution to the development of church infrastructure and the growth of faith programmes across the parish’s four sub-parishes.
He called on parishioners and other stakeholders to support the construction of the proposed chapel financially and logistically so that it can be completed and opened for worship and prayer.
The archbishop said he regularly visits the parish and appreciates the way parishioners work together to mobilise resources for community projects.
At the celebrations, Aaron Magezi, the head of marketing and promotions at St Lawrence University, contributed Shs1 million to the parish and pledged 100 bursaries to support bright students from financially disadvantaged families.
he chairperson of the organising committee, Aloysius Bakudaala, congratulated the archbishop and parishioners on the 70 years of evangelisation and development.
Bakudaala, who is also head of laity in Kyebando Sub-Parish, said the parish would continue reaching out to vulnerable communities with messages of hope, encouragement and hard work.
He said the parish had registered several achievements over the years, including the completion of a residential complex for priests and increased cooperation with various stakeholders, including government institutions.
The parish priest, Fr Angelo Okwai-Rwoth, urged Christians to deepen their commitment to serving humanity by strengthening faith formation programmes and expanding outreach to vulnerable people living in surrounding communities.
Fr Okwai-Rwoth also called on parents to strengthen child care and protection, teach children discipline and respect for older people, and guide them towards responsible behaviour.
Mulago Catholic Parish also runs several education institutions, including St Martin Mulago Primary School, St Martin Nursery and Kindergarten School and Mulago School of the Deaf.
The institutions are government-aided but, according to the parish, need additional technical support to improve the teaching and learning environment.
