LUWEERO DISTRICT — The Acting Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, has urged parents to raise their children with good values, provide them with proper guidance and encourage them to complete their education before embarking on marriage and other major responsibilities in life.
Dr. Muyingo made the call through his Personal Assistant, Wasswa Abdulkarim Tamale, who represented him at the introduction ceremony of Margaret Nanyonga in Nakasetta Village, Zirobwe Town Council, Bamunanika County, Luweero District.
In his message, Dr. Muyingo emphasised the importance of responsible parenting, noting that children who grow up without adequate guidance and support are more vulnerable to dropping out of school, entering premature relationships and making life-changing decisions before they are adequately prepared.
He encouraged parents to nurture their children’s character, protect their future and provide an environment in which they can pursue their education, acquire skills and become responsible adults capable of contributing meaningfully to their families and society.
The Minister also cautioned Ugandans against adults who exploit and prey on young children, calling for greater vigilance and collective responsibility to protect children from abuse and other harmful influences.
Dr. Muyingo’s message was particularly significant at Nanyonga’s introduction ceremony, where the young woman celebrated a milestone that once appeared beyond her reach.
Through his education support, Nanyonga, who had abandoned school because of financial difficulties, was able to return to class, complete her studies, graduate and secure employment. She has now embarked on another important chapter of her life by formally introducing her partner to her family.
According to Tamale, Dr. Muyingo first encountered Nanyonga at a time when she had lost hope of continuing with her education because her family could no longer afford the costs.
With no clear path back to school, she was considering how to survive without the education she had hoped would shape her future.
Nanyonga recalled that her uncle had given her a sack of charcoal to sell as start-up capital after she could no longer continue with school.
“I had lost hope. My uncle had given me a sack of charcoal to sell as capital because I could no longer continue with school,” Nanyonga said.
However, the intervention by Dr. Muyingo helped change the course of her life. With education support, she returned to school, completed her studies, graduated and eventually secured a job.
Today, Nanyonga says she is grateful that the opportunity she received has enabled her to rebuild her future, become financially productive and bring pride to her family.
She described Dr. Muyingo’s support as a turning point that restored her hope at a time when she felt her dreams had been shattered by financial hardship.
“Through education support from Hon. Dr. JC Muyingo, I went back to school and graduated. I now have a job, and God has blessed me with the miracle of starting a family. I am so grateful,” she said.
Her story illustrates how timely support for a child’s education can create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom, enabling beneficiaries to build careers, support their families and approach adulthood with greater confidence and independence.
For Nanyonga, the introduction ceremony was therefore more than a family celebration. It marked a personal victory over adversity and a reminder of how an opportunity to return to school can transform an individual’s life.
Dr. Muyingo’s message also underscored the need for parents, communities and other stakeholders to work together to keep children in school, especially those at risk of dropping out because of financial challenges.
Beyond providing children with basic necessities, parents have a responsibility to instil discipline, promote education, offer emotional support and guide them towards making responsible decisions about their relationships and future.
The Minister’s appeal serves as a reminder that investing in children today helps prepare them for the responsibilities of tomorrow.
Nanyonga’s journey from a young woman who had lost hope of completing her education to a graduate, employed adult and bride-to-be offers an inspiring example of what can happen when a vulnerable child receives the support needed to pursue her dreams.
Her experience reinforces the importance of giving young people a second chance, protecting them from exploitation and ensuring that financial difficulties do not permanently deny them the opportunity to build a better future.
