The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has commended parents for sparing some time to attend the Baby and Kids Expo 2024, which would help them explore various aspects of parenting and child nurturing.

Minister Barugahara made the remarks while officiating the closure of the Expo at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) show grounds in Lugogo on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

“I want to commend you parents for taking time off your busy schedules to come and explore the various aspects of parenting and child nurturing at this event and the valuable insights that you have learned at this very expo, equipping your children with appropriate skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing environment,” Minister Barugahara said.

He said that through the Expo, parents were mentored, coached, and trained on parenting, which would help in building and strengthening the children’s talents, skills, togetherness, and social behavior for a better future.

“This Expo has a couple of meanings and intentions. Good parenting will not only inspire but also expedite our children’s dreams and hopes, build and strengthen our children’s talents and skills, foster cooperation and socialization, and not re-enforce isolation, which always tends to breed criminality and evil minds,” Barugahara noted.

Minister Barugahara called upon the parents to support and guide the children so that they grow to become responsible, compassionate, and successful people in the future.

“It is through our guidance and support that our children will grow to become responsible, compassionate, and successful individuals that we need. Together, let us strive to build a society that will value and nurture its children so that they are future leaders, innovators, and changemakers in our country,” he said.

The Minister further conveyed President Museveni’s message of asking the exhibitors to encourage the manufacturers they buy children’s clothes, products, and gifts from to invest in Uganda so that they, as business people, do not go through the strain of paying taxes if the goods are made in Uganda.

“The President has emphasized that I should tell the exhibitors who keep importing things from abroad to encourage the factories where they import from to come and invest in Uganda. He says he is willing to provide land and tax holidays for such companies. When you bring these factories home, we shall be able to cut the 25% tax on what they call luxury items,” he said.

“The easiest way to go about it is to encourage those Chinese and Turkish people to come and put factories here, then you buy from them and you do not pay the 25%. The President has offered land and is willing to support you in any way you wish,” Minister Barugahara re-echoed.

According to Joweria Nabuuma, the managing director of Kiara Events, the Baby and Kids Expo aims at bringing together children, parents, and stakeholders to discuss children’s well-being and development. The annual event celebrates children’s wellness and joy, focuses on education, innovation, and entertainment, and provides a platform for families, experts, and exhibitors to explore the latest trends in parenting, child development, and early childhood education.