Kadaga calls on communities to feed children at school

2 August 2026, 9:18 am

By Ali lukomo

While addressing the congregation at Nawansaso Primary School in Kamuli District during the belated African Child Day celebrations, First Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga Alitwala issued a strong message to community members who have failed to appreciate the importance of feeding children at school.

She said it had become a habit for some parents and guardians to ignore the government’s advice on providing meals for learners, warning that failure to feed children adequately could affect their academic performance and expose them to health complications, including ulcers and other related conditions.

Rt Hon Kadaga said it was now a mandatory responsibility for parents to ensure their children are fed while at school. She noted that many parents in Busoga were diverting their attention towards accumulating property and wealth instead of prioritising their children’s education and wellbeing.

She further criticised parents who spend most of their time drinking alcohol, saying such behaviour leaves children vulnerable to dropping out of school, child labour and early marriages.

Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga Alitwala urged school managers to establish school gardens where they can grow food crops such as maize and beans to support the feeding of both learners and staff.

However, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Marcy Faith Lakisa, called upon the public to recognise the importance of children in their communities and understand why such days should be celebrated.

She explained that the origin of the Day of the African Child dates back to South Africa, where children took to the streets to demand their rights, but their voices were ignored, leading to the killing of many during the Soweto uprising.

In Uganda, the day is commemorated annually on 16 June, but this year’s celebrations were delayed due to Ebola-related challenges, which affected planned activities.

The theme for this year’s celebrations was “Accelerating the Implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for Meaningful Child Participation.”