Wilberforce Semombwe, the LCl chairperson of Lukose village in Bulwanyi parish, Wakiso district, used to believe that a man had no place in the daily running of a home. To him, running a home and taking care of children were a woman’s work. “I used to think that I only needed to look for money for salt, soap, paraffin or medical treatment. I expected my wife to grow the food we eat. I also expected her to ensure that we have water, the children were disciplined and monitor their academic performance. I would never even check their report cards:’ he says. Semombwe had also left the responsibility of rearing livestock to his wife. “And if anything went wrong (for instance, a miscarriage), I would blame her for being negligent:’ he says. However, all this changed after Semombwe went through a training programme where he learnt skills on how to be a good parent and husband. He says he is now shares chores with his wife such as looking for firewood.
Semombwe says his participation in home activities has yielded many benefits. The couple now produces enough food for the family, his wife is happier and the children are well-behaved. His wife, Brenda Semombwe, who also underwent the training, says the programme has made it easy for her to discipline her children and relate with her spouse. She says she no longer beats the children; she talks to them and they hold discussions on the issues affecting them. As a result, the children now talk to her as a friend. Brenda adds that sharing chores with her husband has made her life more enjoyable. “My husband now goes to the children’s school to check on their performance or pay fees, buys them clothes and takes them for treatment – activities he never did in the past,” Brenda says.  She can now engage in activities that enrich her life since her husband can take care of the home in her absence. Brenda now has time to be more involved in the activities of her savings club and the church. As a result, she was recently elected chairperson of Mothers’ Union for her parish.