By KT Reporter
State Minister for Child and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, has appealed to the private sector to invest more in products and programmes that protect the children’s welfare, safety and health.
Barugahara is more concerned about the violence on children both in homes and away, the poor nutrition and the general health situation the majority of Ugandan children go through, which affects their overall growth.
He was speaking ahead of the 3rd edition of the Baby and Kids Expo East Africa, due to run from May 9 to 11, 2025, at the UMA Multipurpose Hall, Lugogo.
“This year’s theme, ‘Strengthening Families Through Healthcare, Growth, and Zero Violence’, could not be more timely or relevant. With 44 percent of our population under the age of 14, Uganda’s future lies in the hands of its youngsters,” he said.
Uganda’s population of 45.9 million (according to the 2024 national survey estimates) is highly dominated by children, with 44 percent being those under 14 years of age.
This calls for the need for Uganda’s young, growing population to demand investment in education and health for sustainable family growth.
At the same time, 3 in 4 young adults (aged 18 to 24) experienced some form of physical, emotional, or sexual violence during childhood, with 35 percent of girls and 17 percent of boys reporting sexual abuse, according to the 2018 Uganda Violence Against Children Survey by the UN children’s fund UNICEF.
These statistics collectively illustrate Uganda’s progress and challenges, offering the ideal opportunity for something to be done by the private sector to address healthcare access, promote child growth, and advocate for violence-free families, which is key to strengthening Ugandan households.
At the same time, pervasive violence that affects 75 percent of young adults and neglect, which is recorded in 6,505 cases a year, highlight the urgent need to create safe family environments, aligning with the “zero violence” goal to protect child development and family unity.
“The sobering statistics on childcare, growth and development demand collective, urgent action. As a Ministry, we continue to champion parenting through our National Parenting Programme, Integrated Early Childhood Development, empowerment grants to vulnerable populations and partner projects like ‘Real Fathers’ among many others,” the Minister added.
The event organised by Kiara Events Limited will run under the theme: “Strengthening Families Through Healthcare, Growth, and Zero Violence”,which they sayreaffirms the commitment to fostering holistic childhood development and supporting families across Uganda.
“Events like this Expo play a pivotal role in mobilizing both the public and private sectors to re-imagine childhood in Uganda, where children grow up healthy, safe, and loved. We commend Kiara Events Limited for their commitment to creating a platform that empowers parents, caregivers, and service providers with the knowledge and resources to raise children in nurturing environments. Let us use this moment not only to showcase but also to inspire and build stronger, more resilient families across our nation,” Minister Barugahara remarked.
The Expo will serve as a dynamic platform for parents, children, expectant mothers, and industry stakeholders, offering valuable resources, knowledge exchange, and skill-building opportunities.
“Following the success of our 2024 edition, we’re excited to deliver an even more impactful experience in 2025 that will have a robust showcase of products and services designed to enhance child well-being, alongside expert-led sessions on critical topics such as raising children with special needs, mental and physical wellness, first aid, and instilling values in young minds,” said Joweria Nabuuma, Managing Director, Kiara Events.
The events will feature health talks, free vaccinations, and preliminary medical assessment services, with special focus sessions for children with Down syndrome, autism, and neonatal conditions from the Children’s Clinic.
Enjoy entertainment such as gymnastics, dance shows, kids’ fashion, and live music by young artists. Diana Kajumba, Director of Kids Nook, said, “Last year was a quality experience; this year we hope to have giveaways, better demonstrations of products and an overall educational experience for our visitors.”
Companies say they will also use the chance to display new products and technologies targeting the current and changing trends in child welfare.
Happy Ampumuza, Events Supervisor at Movit Products, says this expo is a remarkable platform for them to engage directly with parents, share expert insights on baby skincare and hygiene-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
