Soroti, Uganda | World Vision Uganda, through its Soroti-Amuria Cluster, held an orientation meeting with leaders from the Kumam Cultural Heritage (KUCH) at Plain Country Home in Nakatunya.
The engagement aimed to strengthen collaboration between cultural institutions and development partners to promote positive parenting practices across the Kumam community.
Julian Nabwire, Chairperson of the Kumam Cultural Heritage Steering Committee at World Vision, said the meeting was designed to empower cultural leaders with tools to address harmful parenting practices and strengthen family values.
She emphasized that cultural institutions are critical allies in shaping household behaviors, noting that culture continues to play a powerful role in how children are raised, how discipline is administered, and how gender roles are defined within homes.
Nabwire added that through this partnership, World Vision hopes to reposition families as the first line of protection for children.
The initiative targets harmful practices such as child neglect, corporal punishment, absentee parenting, child marriages, and teenage pregnancies.
These issues remain prevalent in the Kumam region, where many households still rely on outdated disciplinary methods and where parental engagement especially from fathers remains minimal.
The region also faces rising school dropout rates, malnutrition, and emotional neglect, further endangering child development.
Addressing the meeting, the Paramount Chief of KUCH, Won Ateker HH Raphael Otaya, called on leaders to lead by example in their own families.
He urged them to embrace values that promote care, peaceful homes, and proper feeding of children.
He warned against cabinet members taking actions without the knowledge of the cultural institution and pledged to use his leadership to support both family unity and economic transformation.
First Deputy Prime Minister KwaroWang Richard appreciated World Vision’s intervention and commended the Paramount Chief for his leadership in initiating the collaboration.
He said cultural institutions must adapt to modern family realities and integrate traditional values with child protection efforts.
George William Omuge, Chairperson of the KUCH General Assembly, challenged KUCH ministries to implement impactful programs that go beyond ceremonial functions.
He stressed the importance of transforming cultural leadership into practical solutions that address the socio-economic challenges facing Kumam families.
The partnership between World Vision and KUCH marks a new approach to engaging cultural structures in tackling child protection and family development issues in eastern Uganda.
