Her Royal Highness the Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, the Queen of Buganda, has called on parents to openly guide their children by telling them both the good and bad truths about life, saying this is critical in helping them navigate the modern, technology-driven world.
The Nnaabagereka said when children are guided honestly, they grow up knowing what is right and wrong and are better equipped to make informed decisions in a fast-changing digital environment.
She made the remarks at Msgr Ngobya Memorial Day and Boarding Primary School in Kaganda, Lwengo District, during the closing ceremony of the Masaka Buganda Cultural Camp (Ekisaakaate), which ran from December 9 to 13, 2025.
The camp was held under the theme “Connecting Our Culture with Technology” (Okukwanaganya Ebyobuwangwa Byaffe ne Tekinologiya).
The Ekisaakaate brought together children aged 6 to 18 from various counties in Buganda.
The Nnaabagereka acknowledged that parenting has become increasingly challenging in the digital age, noting that technology exposes children to many influences beyond the home.
She observed that children are learning behaviors and values from outside sources rather than from their parents.
She urged parents to clearly explain consequences to their children, saying, “If you do this, these are the good results, and if you do that, these are the bad outcomes.” Such guidance, she said, empowers children to make responsible choices.
Clarifying her position on technology, the Nnaabagereka emphasized that technology itself is not bad. Platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram can be useful for staying informed and connected.
However, she warned that misuse of technology exposes children to harmful behaviors, including verbal abuse, indecent dressing, drug use, and other habits that can lead to mental health challenges.
She advised parents to determine the appropriate age for children to access technology, set clear limits, and closely monitor what their children watch and engage with online.
When used positively, she noted, technology offers many benefits, including helping young people find employment opportunities, access markets for their products, and share information quickly.
The Nnaabagereka also praised the Ekisaakaate Cultural Camp for instilling essential values and life skills in children, including manners and respect, hygiene, cooking, washing clothes, social skills, and knowledge of their clans and language—areas where many children initially lacked awareness.
She further encouraged children to adopt good nutrition and regular exercise, explaining that many illnesses originate in childhood due to poor diet and lack of cleanliness.
The Minister of Social Services in the Nnaabagereka’s Office, Owek. Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko, represented by Minister Noah Kiyimba, emphasized that as technology advances, children must not abandon their cultural identity.
She said classroom education alone is insufficient, adding that blending technology with cultural values helps raise well-rounded individuals.
She thanked the instructors for teaching culture and language, noting that many children arrived at the camp with limited knowledge but are leaving well-informed. She also warned parents to remain vigilant against predators who may harm children online or offline.
Minister Kikomeko reported that some parents give children phones and computers simply to keep them occupied, without monitoring what they consume. She cautioned that this practice is dangerous and urged parents to stop, saying it “is destroying the child.”
The Chief of Buddu County, Pokino Jude Muleke, thanked the media for covering the event and parents for supporting the initiative. He encouraged children to practice what they learned at Ekisaakaate and share the knowledge with peers who missed the opportunity.
He also called on teachers and school administrators to reintroduce cultural books such as Muvubuka Aggunjuse and Kisumuluzo to help shape children’s behavior as they grow.
The Director of Msgr Ngobya Memorial Primary School, Matilda Annet Nakaggwa, thanked the Nnaabagereka for choosing the school to host the 2025 camp and encouraged parents to enroll more children in future editions.
Bululi County emerged as the best-performing county at the camp and received an award, alongside individual children who demonstrated exemplary discipline and good manners.
