Parents warned on child safety during school holiday

27 December 2025, 2:29 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As the long holiday for third term continues, parents and guardians across the country are being reminded to take extra responsibility in keeping children safe. Particular concern has been raised about the teenage girl child, who is at risk of unwanted consequences such as early pregnancy and infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS.

Juliette Engola, a Ugandan born in Loro Village, Oyam District, but who spent her early years in Kenya, has shared her personal life story to highlight the importance of peace, responsible parenting and protection of children.

Engola explained that her family relocated to Kenya during the regime of former president Idi Amin when she was about eight years old. The family lived in exile in a village called Kuro. She noted that her experience during that period is the reason she strongly advocates for peace during and after elections.

“During Idi Amin’s regime, my family relocated to Kenya and lived in exile. I was taken there as a child and my younger siblings were born there. When we returned to Uganda, life was comfortable. My father worked as a Marketing Manager at Uganda Airlines. Life was stable and money was available,” Engola said.

She added that she studied at East Kololo Primary School and later Buganda Road Primary School since the family was living in Kololo at the time. However, life took a different turn after the new government came into power following the ousting of President Tito Okello Lutwa.

According to Engola, the privatisation of Uganda Airlines affected her family directly, as her father lost his job. The family later returned to Oyam District, where she eventually became Chairperson of the Oyam Cooperative Union.

Her life further changed while she was still in school. Engola said she joined Trinity College Nabbingo for her O-Level studies, but during her third term in Senior Four, she became pregnant after being manipulated by a trusted friend.

“I trusted him. I later discovered that I was pregnant but returned to school and completed my exams. Even during pregnancy checks, no one noticed. When results came out, I had passed well,” she said.

She explained that her education plans were disrupted when a cousin falsely claimed that her father had advised her to abandon A-Level studies and instead pursue a short course.

“I always dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but things changed. My father chased me out of the house and I went to live with my elder sister. At 17, I gave birth. I didn’t even understand what was happening in the labour ward. I thought I was just tired until I was told to push,” Engola recounted.

Despite the hardships, Engola has since rebuilt her life and is now an entrepreneur and trainer. She uses her experience to encourage young people to make informed decisions and parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives.

Following Engola’s story, several individuals, including community leaders, called on parents and guardians to be more intentional during the long holiday.

Julius Muyanja, a senior mechanic in Mulago, Kampala, advised parents to engage their children in productive activities and skills training.

“As a parent, I advise fellow parents to use this long holiday to engage their children in work. If you are a carpenter, take your teenager with you, regardless of gender. Teach them skills and let them understand how you earn a living. Leaving them home to spend all day on TV and social media exposes them to distractions,” Muyanja said.

Other members of the public called upon the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to strengthen monitoring of social media and mainstream media content, citing the growing exposure of young people to obscene material online. They noted that while social media can be misused, it also remains a powerful tool for business and positive engagement when properly regulated.

Businessman Katongole Collins also urged Ugandans to avoid acts of violence during and after the general elections scheduled for 15 January 2026.

He warned that election-related violence could force families into exile, just as Engola’s family experienced in the past, stressing that peace is essential for protecting future generations.