By Denis Mukisa
KAYUNGA – The National Chairperson of the Women’s Council, Hajjat Faridah Kibowa, has urged Ugandan families to embrace responsible family planning, saying proper birth spacing is essential for improving the health and well-being of both mothers and children.
Speaking during the International Women’s Day celebrations held at Kawoomya Health Centre III in Kangulumira Sub-county, Kayunga District, Kibowa cautioned mothers against having children in quick succession, noting that closely spaced pregnancies can negatively affect the growth and development of young children.
She encouraged couples to jointly adopt government-approved family planning methods to promote healthier families and improve household welfare.
“We should plan our families responsibly. Giving birth every year affects both the mother’s health and the proper development of children,” Kibowa said.
She also urged expectant mothers to seek antenatal care and deliver from recognised health facilities under the supervision of skilled health workers, warning against relying on traditional birth attendants who may not have the expertise to handle pregnancy-related complications.
The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Kayunga, Kalidi Bikongoolo, who officiated at the event, called on men to actively support their wives throughout pregnancy, saying emotional and financial support contributes to safer pregnancies and healthier families.
He criticised men who neglect their responsibilities, saying such behaviour often creates family conflicts, domestic violence and unstable relationships.
“Men should stand with their wives during pregnancy instead of abandoning them. Responsible fathers help build stable families and healthy communities,” Bikongoolo said.
The officer in charge of Kawoomya Health Centre III, Mutesi Maddina, revealed that the facility attends to an average of 245 expectant mothers for antenatal care every month, with about 30 of them being teenagers.
She described the number of teenage pregnancies as alarming and called for increased community sensitisation to keep girls in school and protect them from early pregnancies.
“We are still registering many teenage mothers, which remains a major concern. Parents and community leaders need to work together to ensure girls remain in school,” Maddina said.
Kibowa also encouraged women to actively participate in the forthcoming Women Council and Local Council elections, stressing that electing committed leaders would strengthen efforts to protect the rights of women and girls against abuse, violence and neglect.
She announced her intention to seek another term as National Chairperson of the Women’s Council to continue advocating for women’s empowerment and child protection.
As part of the celebrations, Kibowa donated maternity supplies, including mama kits, soap and other essential items, to expectant mothers attending the event.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Jovia Kasuubo and Namakula Jennifer, expressed gratitude, saying the donated items would ease the financial burden of preparing for childbirth.
“A complete mama kit can cost up to UGX 50,000, which many families struggle to afford. This support means a lot to us,” one of the mothers said.
The celebrations highlighted the importance of maternal health, responsible parenting, women’s leadership and community support in improving the welfare of families in Kayunga District.
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