By Wakibi Iddi
Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Rt. Hon. Nakadama Rukia Isanga, has called on families to preserve their values, heritage and identity, saying strong families are the foundation of peaceful and developed communities.
Hon Nakadama made the call on Sunday, August 23, 2026, while presiding over the 16th Annual Dhakaba Day Celebrations held at Buwooya in Bugweri District.
The annual gathering, organised by the Dhakaba Family Foundation, brought together members of the family, religious and cultural leaders, political leaders and residents to celebrate their heritage, strengthen relationships and reflect on their shared responsibilities.
Hon Nakadama commended the foundation for sustaining the celebration for 16 years, describing it as an important platform for promoting family unity, preserving history and strengthening community bonds.
“Family is more than just a group of people connected by blood; it is an institution where values are transmitted from one generation to another,” Nakadama said.
She said values such as love, respect, responsibility, solidarity and service should be deliberately passed from parents and elders to younger generations.
According to Nakadaama, families have a critical role to play in national development by encouraging education, hard work, skills development, entrepreneurship and care for vulnerable members of society.
She particularly challenged young people to protect the legacy of their families by embracing discipline, education, knowledge and responsibility.
“Your future will be determined by what you do with the opportunities available to you today,” she told the youth.
Hon Nakadaama also urged elders to document and share the history of the Dhakaba family with younger members, saying understanding one’s roots gives young people a stronger sense of identity and responsibility.
She encouraged the family to remain associated with integrity, hard work, unity, generosity and service to humanity, while calling for peaceful resolution of family disputes and respect for cultural values.
The minister noted that development should not only be measured by roads, buildings and other physical infrastructure, but also by the strength of relationships, dignity, values and cooperation within communities.
“When a family is strong, communities become stronger. When communities are strong, the nation is also stronger and peaceful,” she said.
Hon Nakadama congratulated the Dhakaba Family Foundation upon reaching the 16th edition of the annual celebration and expressed hope that the younger generation would inherit not only the Dhakaba name, but also the values of unity, responsibility and service.
The celebrations ended with a renewed call for family members to remain united, preserve their heritage and work together for the wellbeing of future generations.