Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has urged parents to prioritise their children’s education, warning against using limited household resources to facilitate marriages at the expense of long-term opportunities.
Tayebwa made the remarks on Tuesday, September 15, during a gathering at Kigarama Archdeaconry in Bitereko Sub-County, Ruhinda North Constituency, where he joined former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Luke Orombi, and other Christians.
The occasion also marked celebrations for President Yoweri Museveni’s 82nd birthday, with Tayebwa saying the congregation prayed for the President’s health, wisdom and continued service to the country.
“Today, we were blessed to host The Most Rev. Luke Orombi, former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, at Kigarama Archdeaconry, Bitereko Sub-County, Ruhinda North Constituency,” Tayebwa said.
He said the service brought together church members to celebrate Museveni’s birthday, while Archbishop Orombi also prayed for Christians aged 82 and above, thanking God for their lives and asking for continued strength and good health.
However, Tayebwa said Orombi’s visit was also intended to deliver a message on the importance of educating children.
“He visited not to pray with us only, but also to emphasize the importance of educating our children,” Tayebwa said.
The Deputy Speaker said he strongly supported the former archbishop’s message, arguing that education should be viewed as a long-term investment despite the fact that its benefits may not be immediately visible.
“I explained to our people that we may not see the full benefits of education in five or ten years, but education remains one of the best investments a person, family, or community can make,” he said.
Tayebwa particularly challenged parents who prioritise spending their limited resources on arranging marriages for their children rather than paying for their education.
“I urged parents who still believe that it is better to spend their limited resources facilitating the marriages of their children rather than investing in their education to reconsider that approach,” he said.
He added that changing economic and social conditions have made education, skills and knowledge increasingly important in determining access to opportunities and enabling people to contribute meaningfully to society.