Retired Adventist Archbishop Warns Parents Over Neglect of Boys

What the report says

Retired Seventh-day Adventist Archbishop Christian Sam Aliddeki has called on parents to take a more active role in raising boys, warning that weak supervision can leave young people vulnerable to crime, delinquency and dropping out of school. According to Nile Post, he made the comments at Kitebi Government Secondary School during a boys’ camp focused on indiscipline, school dropout and other problems affecting school-going boys.

The camp brought together boys from several secondary schools, including some who had already dropped out or faced serious difficulties such as breaking the law, running away from home and, in some cases, imprisonment. Education experts and counsellors used the forum to discuss discipline, decision-making and responsible behaviour, with the aim of helping the boys stay in school and avoid further trouble.

Aliddeki said many parents are too occupied with work and other responsibilities, which he said leaves children in the care of domestic workers and without enough guidance. He urged families to spend more time monitoring their children’s conduct, schooling and welfare.

The event was opened by Mary Harriet Agilong, a commissioner in the Ministry of Education and Sports in charge of counselling and guidance, who also warned students against behaviour that could harm their future. Kitebi headteacher Mohamad Kamulegeya said similar programmes could be extended elsewhere, while organisers said mentorship, counselling and stronger parental involvement are key to keeping children in school. In broader context, child protection and school retention remain recurring concerns in Uganda’s education sector.