By Denis Mukisa
Kayunga District Probation and Social Welfare Officer Collins Kafeero has warned that family abandonment is a major driver of domestic violence, urging men to take greater responsibility for their homes to prevent conflicts and family breakdown.
Kafeero made the remarks during the graduation ceremony of Dr. Joseph Makubuya held in Kinyolo Village, Lugazi Municipality.
He criticized men who abandon their families, leaving women to shoulder the burden of providing for the household alone.
According to Kafeero, the problem is particularly severe in rural communities where many women have limited sources of income. He noted that when women are left without financial support, they may be forced to seek assistance elsewhere, a situation that can trigger conflict, mistrust, and violence within families.
He called on men to consistently provide for their families, saying that even simple gestures such as buying food for their wives can strengthen relationships and foster trust.
Kafeero added that neglecting family responsibilities often creates suspicion over paternity, which he said is increasingly becoming a source of disputes that destabilize homes.
The probation officer also urged parents to prioritize the welfare of their children, warning that neglect exposes them to exploitation, crime, and other social challenges.
“Parents have a duty to guide and support their children. When they fail to do so, many young people end up engaging in criminal activities that can eventually lead them to prison,” he said.
He emphasized that responsible parenting remains the first line of defense against social problems and called on both mothers and fathers to remain actively involved in raising their children.
Kafeero further appealed for mutual respect between spouses, saying peaceful families are essential for building stable communities.
He encouraged men to treat their wives with wisdom and understanding while urging women to respect their husbands and work together to resolve family differences amicably.
Addressing women, Kafeero also encouraged couples to maintain healthy marital intimacy, saying it plays an important role in strengthening marriages and preventing family breakdown.
Quoting a Luganda proverb, he said, “Abakyala muleke ekitanda kitambule bulungi amaka galeme kusasika,” loosely translated as, “Women, let marital intimacy flow smoothly so that families remain united and do not fall apart.”
He concluded by stressing that strong, united families are the foundation of peaceful and prosperous communities.
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