The Parish Priest of St Philip’s Bugongi Estates Church of Uganda in Kabale Municipality, Rev. Ambrose Sabiti, has asked parents to regulate the amount of time children spend watching television and using phones during the holiday.
He made the call on Friday while speaking at the Top Class graduation ceremony of Peace Day Care Nursery and Primary School in Bugongi Northern Division, held under the theme “Time Management.”
Rev. Sabiti acknowledged that television can help keep children engaged at home, but warned that excessive screen time can undermine efforts to properly nurture them.
He encouraged parents to supplement teachers’ work by using the holiday to instill positive values, discipline, and knowledge in their children.
He further appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that children spend their holidays productively, in ways that strengthen both their academic performance and spiritual growth.
His message echoed that of the school headteacher, Elliot Twinomugisha, who advised parents to deliberately create time for their children during the festive break.
Twinomugisha emphasized the importance of sharing, bonding, and offering proper career guidance, noting that early childhood is a critical stage in shaping a learner’s future aspirations.
One of the school directors, Arthur Ahabwe, urged parents to use the holiday period to register their children for National Identification Cards, pointing out that many current and upcoming government programs require a national ID to access services.
He said early registration would help families avoid difficulties in the future.
Fellow director, Jotham Byekwaso Kijungu, encouraged parents to embrace education fully and make the necessary sacrifices to secure quality learning for their children.
He noted that well-educated children are more likely to grow into responsible and impactful citizens.
The school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairperson, Bruce Muhanguzi, called for collective effort from all stakeholders, parents, teachers, directors, governing bodies, community members, and learners, to improve academic performance.
He also advised parents to use the holiday to instill discipline and assign practical home chores such as digging, washing, and peeling, saying these tasks help build character and responsibility.
Rose Byonanebye, a member of the school’s Management Committee, appealed to parents, teachers, and learners to be good ambassadors of the school in their communities to strengthen its image and impact.
She encouraged open and honest conversations at home, stressing that understanding children’s challenges enables parents to guide them more effectively.
