After three editions and establishing itself as Uganda’s premier family and children’s event, the Baby and Kids Expo EA is set to expand across East Africa, the organisers, Kiara Events Ltd, have announced.
Held last month at UMA Showgrounds Lugogo under the theme, “Strengthening Families Through Healthcare, Growth, and Zero Violence,” this year’s edition attracted over 1,000 attendees and 80 exhibitors.
Joweria Nabuuma, managing director of Kiara Events, said the expo has evolved beyond a product showcase into a platform for empowering parents and communities with essential knowledge to support children’s holistic development and wellness.
Nabuuma said Kiara Events is exploring possible opportunities in Kenya and Tanzania first before eventually expanding to Rwanda and beyond.
“We’ll most likely begin with Kenya and Tanzania, but the dream is to eventually host standalone expos in each East African country,” Nabuuma said.
“Who knows? In the near future, we could even hold a grand rotational expo, bringing together suppliers and shoppers from across the region to enjoy discounted purchases under one roof.”
PARENTING IN CRISIS: SHEIKH KITI’S CANDID TALK
Among the standout sessions was an impassioned keynote by Sheikh Burhaan Muhsin Kiti, who spoke about the challenges of modern parenting. He urged parents to strike a delicate balance between love, discipline, and guidance, noting that the breakdown in parenting is reflected in the surge in youth-related urban crime such as burglaries, theft, and even hired murders.
“Family is the backbone of every society. Today’s crime wave is a mirror of poor parenting. Parents must be both teachers and caregivers, the quality of their work is seen in the character of their children,” Sheikh Kiti said.
He also linked rising relationship struggles to a failure by parents to raise children with a clear understanding of gender roles and responsibilities, adding that financial hardship should not excuse poor parenting.
“Don’t see your children as burdens. Many are yearning to have them. If you’re blessed with kids, raise them with purpose,” he said. Kiti also warned against the blind adoption of foreign cultures.
“It’s okay to speak English when necessary, but let’s not abandon our languages and traditions. We’ll never become white, no matter how much we mimic their ways. Let’s build on our own strengths.”
Armorie Sophia Nagayi, Miss Uganda High School 2024, and Britney Nakiguli, deputy prime minister of Angel High School Namasuba, led a session on navigating teenage life in the age of modern parenting and social media.
The duo highlighted the intense pressure for validation that teens face online, urging parents to remain both understanding and actively involved in their children’s digital lives.
“We definitely need gadgets for education, research, and social interaction,” said Nakiguli. “Yes, we may sometimes go off course, but the solution is not to confiscate our devices.
What we need is guidance on how to use them responsibly.” Nagayi added that teenagers today are grappling with more social pressure than ever before and require strong, positive role models to look up to.
AUTISM AWARENESS TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Another key feature of this year’s expo was the in-depth discussion on autism spectrum disorder, led by a panel of experts including Dr Prossy Nakanwagi, autism advocate and co-founder of Blossom Spectrum Wellness Ltd, Joyce Nekesa, speech and language therapist, Emmanuel Ssegirinya, occupational therapist/behavioral technician and Cynthia Kabagambe, centre manager, Open Friend & co-founder, Blossom Spectrum Wellness.
Dr Nakanwagi, a mother of a six-year-old child with autism, said the disorder is still widely misunderstood in Uganda. Many autistic children, she said, are unfairly labelled as “stupid” by parents, teachers and colleagues due to their social and communication difficulties.
“Autism is not a disease, it’s a developmental disorder. While its exact causes are still being studied, factors like genetics, advanced maternal age, and male firstborns increase the risk,” she explained.
She noted that signs such as limited eye contact, delayed speech, and poor social interaction can be noticed as early as six months.
“About 40% of autistic children may never speak. Others only echo what they hear, without forming their own independent sentences,” Nakanwagi said.
Ssegirinya emphasized that some sensory-related behaviours exhibited by autistic children are often mistaken for disobedience.
“Autistic children may be hypersensitive to textures, colours, or sounds. You’ll find them rejecting clothes or food based on how they feel or look. They need support, not punishment,” he said.
Dr Daniel Tumwine of The Children’s Clinic captivated parents with an extended session titled “Why Your Child is Always Sick,” originally scheduled for 20 minutes but lasting nearly an hour. Parents benefited from free consultations that would ordinarily cost thousands of shillings.
SPELLING BEE THRILLS
The Spelling Bee competition organised by enjuba left both children and parents captivated and asking for more. The highlight of the day was the impressive performance by Vivian Serwanjja, daughter of renowned journalist Solomon Serwanjja, who emerged the overall winner.
Vivian’s natural talent, confident literacy skills, and lively personality won her admiration from the judges and audience alike. Her eloquence and command of language left many parents in awe, with some even discreetly inquiring which school she attends.
The competition was not only a showcase of young talent but also a humbling experience for some parents, a few of whom confessed to struggling with certain words such as exacerbated.
EXHIBITORS SHARE EXPERIENCE
Abigael Kabugho, founder of Kidpreneur Uganda, praised the organisers for the smooth coordination and useful orientation for first-time exhibitors.
“The venue and security were spot on. However, I suggest the expo be limited beyond three days to allow more engagement,” she said.
Racheal Senyondo, head of HNI at Prudential, was impressed by the turnout but urged better time management among exhibitors in future editions. Like many exhibitors, Esther Nanyonjo urged the organisers to intensify publicity for future editions of the expo, noting that wider visibility would allow more people to benefit from both its financial opportunities and educational value.
In a shift from previous editions, this year’s entertainment focused exclusively on children. Activities included fashion shows, ballet, gymnastics, and skating, all courtesy of Star Kids Club, Royalty, and Suki. The event was emceed by none other than beauty queen Talia Birungi Kandole.
It’s the #BabyAndKidsExpo25 Grand Finale happening right now at UMA Multipurpose Hall
Bring the kids, enjoy the fun, grab the deals, and close out the Expo in style.
🎟️ Entry: UGX 10K#KiaraEvents pic.twitter.com/03fZsQpnzA— Nambalirwa Emilly Shuhaimah (@MsShuhaimah) May 11, 2025