Ugandan Parents in South Africa (UPISA)

UGANDAN PARENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA (UPISA)

August 19, 2018

Written by: Judy Ssemugabi Bakyaita

UGANDAN PARENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA. (UPISA)

Parents living in South Africa with Ugandan roots have observed over time that they struggle with various challenges that range from, obtaining the required documents to stay and work in South Africa; education for their children; South African culture that is quite different in many aspects with that of Uganda; marriages for their children and close relatives especially those born in South Africa; food; weather, businesses, worship, and a lot of other issues and behaviors.

Ugandan Parents in South Africa (UPISA) is an initiative created by parents, for parents. Typically, support and education are the main objectives for forming UPISA. UPISA is a great opportunity for us to be closer to our children, understand them better, and help them in their life and educational journey. Our children also benefit when we are more active in our Ugandan communities, it helps them to know who they are. This will help our children to show more positive attitudes; be able to bridge the cultural gap between SA and Uganda; be less anti-social and less prone to behavioral issues.

It is also true that Ugandans in the diaspora find it hard to unite and do things or face these challenges together as a unit; it is therefore, on this basis that some few Ugandans came up with an idea to start the organization called Ugandan Parents in South Africa (UPISA). UPISA aims at uniting all parents in South Africa with Ugandan roots and their families supporting and educating them on various issues and ultimately together develop and prosper as a collective.

Roles of UPISA

1. Supporting fellow parents

2. Bridge the gap Between Parents and Children

3. Building Bonds Among Parents

4. A source of emotional support

5. A forum for information sharing that gives new parents skills and confidence

6. Give an opportunity to relieve loneliness and form new friendships

7. Help in time of crisis

UPISA has high aspirations and aims to have happy families living in South Africa. We do have a Whatsapp Group where parents discuss issues concerning their children, families, life in diaspora, etc. You can join us by registering with Mrs. Judy Ssemugabi Bakyaita and we assure you that your details will be kept confidential.

We recently hosted our first Gala Dinner for parents at Sheraton Hotel Pretoria on 4th August, 2018. We are also planning an event for parents and children on 6th October, 2018, it is important to register with us if you want to be part of this day.

UPISA Committee Members

Chairman: Mr. R. Sonko (Gauteng)

Vice Chairman: Ms. Faridah Mukiibi (Gauteng)

General Secretary: Mr. James Kamya Kasookabogera (Gauteng)

Publicity Secretary: Mrs. Judy Ssemugabi Bakyaita (Gauteng)

Treasurer: Ms. Bridgette Kaheru (Gauteng)

Speaker: Mr. Hamis Nsamba (Gauteng)

Vice Speaker: Faridah Musoke Nakasujja (Cape Town)

Other Committee Members

1. Mr. G. Atenyi (Gauteng)

2. Mr. D. Kiwanuka (Gauteng)

3. Mrs. Janat Jumba (Gauteng)

4. Nalongo Kakooza (Gauteng)

5. Mr. M. Kibombo (Gauteng)

6. Ssaalongo Kakooza (Gauteng)

7. Ms. Nusula Nansubuga (Gauteng)

8. Ms. Faridah (Cape Town)

9. Mrs. Halwa Bunnya (Gauteng)

10. Hajji Baker Mohamed (Gauteng)

11. Nalongo Kalwana (Free State)

12. Ian Ssenyonga (Kwazulu Natal)

We are looking forward for you to join us as we try to strike a balance between African traditional values and those of individualistic society in diaspora.