Kamuli, Uganda: First Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, has called on government to adopt the “Real Fathers Parenting and Family Model” implemented by Holistic Initiative to Community Development as a national strategy to combat domestic violence and strengthen family stability.
Kadaga, who also serves as Minister for East African Community Affairs, made the call during Kamuli District belated Women’s Day celebrations held at Bulopa Secondary School.
The former Speaker praised HOLD Uganda for its efforts in addressing domestic and gender-based violence in the Busoga sub-region, saying harmful cultural norms around gender roles continue to undermine productivity, parenting and family cohesion.
“The REAL Fathers Project aligns with our vision for a more equitable society where community members, especially women and children, are treated with dignity,” Kadaga said.
“Because of its significant impact in reducing intimate partner violence and violence against children in the Busoga Region, I recommend government to take on its model.”
The Real Fathers Project, implemented by HOLD Uganda with support from the Impact and Innovations Development Centre and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development with funding from the LEGO Foundation, focuses on mentoring young fathers aged 16 to 25 years.
The initiative trains young men to become responsible partners and engaged parents, addressing issues such as positive parenting, communication within families, gender roles, health and nutrition.
Kadaga said society must pay equal attention to empowering boys and men if progress made in empowering girls is to be sustained. “We should curiously look into the mismatch where emphasis is placed on the girl child while the boy child is forgotten,” she said.
“This empowered girl will eventually marry an unempowered boy who may end up controlling everything she has achieved. The Real Fathers model is therefore in the right direction and must be supported.”
She also noted that men often distance themselves from parental responsibilities, citing school meetings where mothers dominate attendance while fathers remain absent.
Kadaga warned that the trend contributes to irresponsible parenting and perpetuation of social vices such as child marriage, defilement and school dropouts.
19,000 young fathers trained
HOLD Uganda Executive Director Charles Mudhumba said the programme has already trained over 19,000 young fathers in the Busoga region.
Participants are guided through mentorship programmes focusing on parenting skills, communication in relationships and responsible family leadership.
“As a result, men are becoming more responsible, engaged and loving towards their families,” Mudhumba said. “They are increasingly involved in childcare, communicating better with their partners and reducing violent behaviour.”
He added that some participants now escort their wives to hospitals and actively participate in their children’s education, contributing to a noticeable decline in gender-based violence cases in communities where the programme operates.
Kadaga emphasized that strengthening fatherhood and responsible parenting is key to building stable families and safer communities. She urged government agencies and development partners to support initiatives that promote positive masculinity and responsible parenting.
Observers say scaling up the Real Fathers model nationally could help address persistent challenges of domestic violence and family breakdown across Uganda.
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