Nakalema advises parents to prioritise presence, character in raising children
Quoting Psalms 133:1, which emphasises the goodness of unity, Nakalema said she was pleased to join the congregation for fellowship and share a subject she described as close to her heart.
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Anti-Corruption and Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, Col. Edith Nakalema, has urged parents, particularly fathers, to take a more active role in raising children, saying responsible parenting goes beyond providing financial support.
Nakalema said parents must deliberately invest in their children’s spiritual growth, character development, values and sense of purpose to raise responsible and accountable citizens.
“Presence is more important than presents. Character is more important than comfort. Purpose is more important than possessions,” she said.
She made the remarks while addressing a Sunday congregation at Miracle Christian Fellowship Ministries in Nangabo, Kasangati, a ministry led by Pastor Dr James Victor Lubwama.
Drawing from the biblical teachings in Deuteronomy 6:6–7, Nakalema emphasised that parents have a responsibility to teach their children values and faith through consistent guidance and personal example.
She noted that children learn not only from what their parents tell them but also from how they live, interact with others and demonstrate integrity in their daily lives.
“A father’s greatest inheritance isn’t wealth but a godly example,” she said.
Nakalema said the values instilled in children at home have far-reaching implications for society, shaping the kind of citizens, leaders and professionals they eventually become.
She argued that intentional parenting is therefore not merely a family responsibility but also an important foundation for building stronger communities and a better Uganda.
Quoting Psalms 133:1, which emphasises the goodness of unity, Nakalema said she was pleased to join the congregation for fellowship and share a subject she described as close to her heart.
She also appreciated Pastor Lubwama and Professor Edward Bbaale for providing the opportunity to speak about intentional parenting.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to promote her book, My Father and I, which explores the importance of fatherhood, parental involvement and the influence of fathers in shaping children’s lives.
Nakalema appreciated the congregation for purchasing copies of the book, noting that its central message rests on three principles: prioritising parental presence over material gifts, character over comfort, and purpose over possessions.
Her message places particular emphasis on the role of fathers in providing emotional stability, spiritual direction and positive role models, at a time when parenting is increasingly recognised as a shared responsibility requiring deliberate involvement from both parents.
