What would you have done differently for your children?

I would raise my children to be independent regardless of their gender to help them be self-reliant. The other would be encouraging my girls to be more aggressive and not to think that things are achieved on a silver platter. I would advise them to compete favourably with men and I openly share life experiences. Ibrahim Mugwanya, Manager quality controller UBC

Raising my children as a single father has been challenging, especially at the early stages because most of the time I was out of the country for work. I would have spent enough time with my children, watch them grow, teach them skills of life outside class because these are not taught anywhere and most importantly I would have taught them how to communicate in different languages because speaking one or two languages is not enough for one to survive. Teaching them to be open about their health especially the girls, why would my daughter prefer to send someone to tell me they need sanitary towels?
Sammy Kakemba, Accountant

I was strict and not friendly to my children. I never made time to talk to them. If I could turn back time, I would talk to my children more often, hug them, play with them, share views and be their best friend. If I had young ones I would change the past and make the most of the present.
Mohammed Mazigga, Businessman

Unlike girls, I would have taught my boys how to cook, despite the fact that I am a great cook my boys do not know. Whenever I have a chance to enter their rooms, they are dirty. I should have taught them how to do house chores. Also, I would teach them Langi, my mother tongue because how will they survive in their ancestral homes where about 90 per cent of our people are not educated.
Geoffrey Okwir Gunya, teacher

I gave my children all they deserve; took them to the best schools and advised them accordingly. However, I never had enough time with my children because of my work schedule. Whenever they were home, I would be at the theatre. I have never had Christmas or Easter celebrations with my family and I cannot say I took them for any outing. I miss that.
Andrew Benon Kibuuka, head Uganda performers’ association

As a parent I know what is best for my child and that is what I provide. I think imparting good morals in them can take them places. I would then teach them to live in harmony with everyone in all conditions. Treating children with all fancy things is not the way to show how much you love them but teach them what life is about, so that when faced with tough times, they can manoeuvre.
Sam Gombya, Musician

Every time I was home, I would lock myself in the study and my daughter would often come knocking as she called out my name. I treated it as interruption and spent 90 per cent of the time pretending I was not around. By the time I realised it was bad, she had started complaining about how I was absorbed in work. I should have paid attention to her knowing she would not be a child forever yet work will always be there.
Ethan Musolini, life coach
I wish I had made my children my first friends at a tender age before anyone else. Getting to play with them, having discussions on topical issues would have made it easy for them to share their secrets with me without fearing even after they have grown. A relationship between a father and his children starts from childhood as they look to you as a friend, someone they can trust and they freely talk to.
Asan Kasingye, Police Commissar