KAMPALA — The Head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, has urged parents to look beyond academic performance and take a more active role in identifying, nurturing and developing their children’s talents.
Hajjat Namyalo made the call while attending the 2026 Talent Show at Kyanja Junior School in Kampala, where pupils showcased their abilities through music, dance and drama.
The event, held under the theme “Promoting Morals and Social Values through Music, Dance and Drama,” brought together pupils, teachers and parents to celebrate talents and skills developed outside the conventional classroom setting.
Hajjat Namyalo said children require more than academic support to develop into confident, disciplined and responsible citizens, urging parents to pay attention to their interests and abilities from an early age.
She said parents should not limit their responsibilities to paying school fees and providing material necessities, but should also give children emotional support and encourage them to participate in activities that can help them discover their potential.
“The development of a child cannot be measured by academic results alone. We must also look at the talents, discipline, values and practical skills that the child develops,” she said.
The ONC head commended Kyanja Junior School for giving pupils an opportunity to participate in music, dance, drama and sports, saying such activities complement classroom education by building confidence, creativity, discipline and teamwork.
She said talent development could also provide young people with practical skills that may become useful later in life.
Hajjat Namyalo, who said she has a personal interest in music, dance, drama and sports, said she was impressed by the performances presented by the pupils.
She also applauded parents who attended the talent show, saying their presence demonstrated their commitment to supporting their children’s development.
The ONC head further recognised fathers who continue to play an active role in raising their children and commended single mothers for the sacrifices they make in supporting their families.
Hajjat Namyalo also encouraged parents to take advantage of Government programmes aimed at improving household incomes, saying economically empowered families are better positioned to meet their children’s educational and other needs.
She stressed that Government empowerment programmes should benefit Ugandans regardless of their political affiliation.
She said the ONC would continue supporting initiatives aimed at improving household incomes and expressed interest in exploring opportunities through which teachers at Kyanja Junior School could benefit from empowerment interventions.
Hajjat Namyalo said teachers remain central to the development of children and should be supported to improve their welfare and capacity to provide quality education.
The ONC head also acknowledged the school’s need for a classroom hall and pledged to engage the school administration to identify areas where her office could offer support.
She said she would also explore the possibility of engaging the Ministry of Education and Sports over the school’s infrastructure needs.
Hajjat Namyalo said investing in children was important in preparing a skilled and responsible generation capable of contributing to Uganda’s development.
Kyanja Junior School Head Teacher, Mr Ssenyimba Henry, thanked Hajjat Namyalo for attending the talent show and commended her for taking time to interact with pupils, teachers and parents.
Mr Ssenyimba said her presence had encouraged the school community and appreciated her interest in the development of the learners.
Hajjat Namyalo, who noted that she is a neighbour to the school, congratulated the pupils, teachers and parents for successfully organising the talent show.
The event highlighted the importance of combining academic education with co-curricular activities to help children develop creativity, confidence, discipline, social values and practical skills.