A new generation of fathers is rising in Uganda but What will fatherhood look like by 2030?
Whether through shared school runs, open emotional communication, or simply showing up every day, the Ugandan father of the future will look very different from his predecessors.
Fatherhood in Uganda is shifting. No longer defined solely by authority or financial provision, the role of a father is evolving into something more emotionally present, nurturing, and hands-on. As the country marked Father’s Day yesterday, the question ahead is, what will fatherhood look like by 2030?
From Gulu to Kampala, more young men are questioning the traditional mold of “dad” and embracing a more engaged role in their children’s lives. A shift is underway, and experts say it’s long overdue.
“The image of the father as a silent provider is fading,” says Dr. Sarah Nyangoma, a family sociologist at Makerere University. “Today’s fathers especially the younger ones are more involved in parenting, emotional support, and even household chores. By 2030, we expect this to be the new normal, not the exception.”
For 29-year-old Gerald Tumwine, who works remotely in digital marketing, raising his 3-year-old daughter is a daily joy not just a duty.
“I feed her, bathe her, read to her. I don’t want to be a stranger who only comes home to enforce rules,” Tumwine says. “I want her to know I’m there always.”
This new approach contrasts sharply with the past, where fathers were often distant figures focused solely on breadwinning. But as urbanization, education, and technology change the shape of family life, more men are redefining what it means to be a dad.
Technology, Time, and a Shift in Mindset
Remote work, parenting podcasts, and WhatsApp dad groups are slowly helping men get more involved. Some companies now offer paternity leave, while social media is full of Ugandan fathers proudly sharing school pick-up selfies and playground moments.
“In rural areas, the traditional view of the father as head not helper still dominates,” Dr. Nyangoma explains. “To change this, we need to model fatherhood differently in media, education, and policy.”
Despite progress, challenges remain. Cultural pressure, economic demands, and lack of support still keep many men from stepping fully into their parenting roles. “Men are not always raised to be emotionally expressive,” Dr. Nyangoma notes. “We must teach boys from a young age that nurturing is not a weakness it’s a strength.”
Initiatives like “Fathers Arise Uganda”, a local campaign that trains men in positive parenting, are working to bridge that gap. The program has trained over 300 fathers in Mbale and Jinja since 2022.
By 2030, experts hope we’ll see more men present not just at the birth of a child but in every milestone thereafter. Whether through shared school runs, open emotional communication, or simply showing up every day, the Ugandan father of the future will look very different from his predecessors.
“The future of fatherhood is softer, stronger, and more shared,” says Dr. Nyangoma. “And that’s exactly the kind of father our society needs.”
As the nation moves forward, perhaps the true legacy of this generation will not just be about how much fathers provided but how much they were present.
