Single parents urged on instilling cultural norms in children
Nkuba Samuel
Journalist @New Vision
_____________________ Some of the single parents who attended the celebrations in Kalangala district
Single parents in the Kalangala district have been urged to instill cultural norms and discipline in their children despite the pain of rejection from their spouses.
The call was made during the first-ever Single Parent Day celebrations in the Ssese Islands. The day is celebrated every March 21, across the world.
Spearheaded by the Maria Theresa Foundation in Kalangala, over 100 mothers in attendance testified that they are grappling with bringing up their children in the absence of their fathers due to the many demands, that they cannot meet daily.
Justine Nakayiza, 35, a single mother of two from Misonzi Landing Site, said her husband died leaving her with three children of which one passed on due to lack of care.
She further narrated that being on HIV drugs has affected her strength since she cannot engage in some activities thus grappling with paying school fees for her two children.
Christine Nakiwala, 24, a single mother of three, gave birth to her first child at 15. She narrates that her husband fell ill and was transferred from the Ssese islands to the Kamwenge district. However, efforts to trace him have been in vain since her in-laws no longer receive her calls anymore.
“With the help of my mother and the little I earned from the restaurant where I work, I try to provide for them despite missing their father's love and care. I didn't receive any help from his side yet he didn’t tell me his residential village in Kamwenge,” Nakiwala said.
Educate them for a crime-free society
Kalangala district Police commander Alex Wabwire implored single parents to educate their children tirelessly so that they don’t become criminals in their society.
“Let’s also work hard as parents so that we can afford to pay school fees, necessities, and other needs for the betterment of their lives,” Wabwire said.
Domestic violence was one of the main reasons blamed for single parenthood on the island. 
Miiro Deo Mpolampola, in charge of the human rights office at Kalangala Chief Magistrate Court, said they receive eight to 11 child and family neglect cases every month.
Greener pasture promises for women
According to the 2017 Kalangala Human Rights Defenders (KHRD) baseline survey, single parenthood is fuelled by different categories of people that comprise the island communities including criminals.
It stipulates that 46% of people in Ssese islands are criminals who were in prison for more than 10 years. These searches for hideout places end up moving from island to island where on many occasions they flee after impregnating the women.
This survey further indicates that 36% of women in the islands were married on the mainland. Still, due to the influence of their fellow women with ghost promises of greener pastures on the islands, they rejected their husbands with children.
These on many occasions end up in bars and sexual promiscuity.
These all contribute to single parenthood within Ssese islands according to this report.
Maria Nakitende, a former Vision Group Journalist and the CEO of the Maria Theresa Foundation said through availing counseling services, and teaching a discipline of saving among these women, they have tried to change their mindset and empower these single parents to take on the full responsibility of their children without rejoicing.
“We started in 2019 with a few women, however, working across the islands has fetched over 100 single parents whom we hope to help with school fees, home needs, basically those in need and HIV/AIDs affected mothers,” she said.
Besides the celebrations, women have been given kits including foodstuffs and soap, among other necessities.
The day has been celebrated on the theme of enabling mutual parenthood regardless of separation.
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