GODFREY KUTEESA: It’s nonsense to call a man when a child is sick

In a society grappling with evolving gender roles and family dynamics, the question of parental responsibility has become a touching issue.

In recent incidents, there’s been heated debates ensued between celebrity couples in Uganda, over who should take care of their child.

While fathers argue that it is the mother’s duty as the primary caregiver, mothers countered, citing the need for shared responsibility and the impact on careers. This clash illuminates broader societal tensions surrounding traditional gender norms and the modern pursuit of equality within familial responsibilities.

As the discourse intensifies, it underscores the necessity for nuanced discussions around gender equality in caregiving roles and workplace policies. Some advocates argue that outdated stereotypes perpetuate inequalities both at home and in the workforce, stifling progress toward gender parity.

Self-made mentor and counselor Godfrey Kuteesa via his official X account had a bone to pick with Galaxy radio presenter Evelyn MC, after her warning fellow women to be observant before having a child with any man.

“Women be very observant before having a child with a man, one of my friends had a child from a presentable responsible man but she struggles every day to get some support for her child, how do you call a man when his child is sick and sends Ush15,000,” she wondered noting that some men should have been born impotent because what can Ush15,000 do for the mother and a child?

Upon posting this, Kuteesa responded wondering why a woman needs to call a man when a child is sick.

“You as the mother, what’s your responsibility? He asked, adding that some women keep singing a narrative of being independent women, emancipated, yet at the end they call men seeking help.

“Girls like you (Evelyn MC) and your friend are filled with chaff in your head. In the morning you wake up and say you don’t need men; in the evening you call the same people you “don’t need” to take up your responsibility,” said Kuteesa.

According to Kuteesa, a child being sick is no longer a responsibility of a man alone, however, it’s a “shared responsibility” between man and woman, and in situations where a woman calls and the man says “I don’t have money take this 15k”, it’s not a crime.

“Which law says it’s the man who’s supposed to foot the medical bills? And lastly, I know for a fact that some mothers nowadays use “child sickness” to siphon money out of men. She calls you at 8 pm saying, the child is badly sick and when you demand which hospital they’re admitted to, she argues “but just send us money”

In his argument Kuteesa explained that men are tired of being taken advantage of under the disguise of the “child is sick”, stating that, “no man who doesn’t want to take care of their child. Men are good people!! The problem always comes in when the mother has other motives.

“15,000 is better than nothing; I have a friend who has never received a coin from the baby daddy. All you should know is that you’re on your own before thinking about getting pregnant. However, some men are good people; they’ll always be there for their babies and baby mamas,” replied Nnalongo Quin another follower on X.

“But why would you get pregnant for someone expecting long-term attention and care, I feel like we ladies should be planning on the outcomes of the pregnancy, before even getting pregnant. You can’t keep on relying on someone 95% because u got their child,” said Anne Deanzi.

Conversely, opponents contend that biological and societal factors inherently predispose women to assume primary caregiving duties. Amidst this debate, policymakers and employers face the challenge of crafting inclusive policies that support both parental involvement in caregiving and career advancement, fostering a more equitable and supportive environment for families.

According to the Children’s Act of 1997, it shall be the duty of a parent, guardian, or any person having custody of a child to maintain that child and, in particular, that duty gives a child the right to education and guidance, immunization, adequate diet, clothing, shelter, and medical attention.