First of all, shoutout to all the mothers, mittes, guardians, aunties who became mums by force, and every woman who has ever yelled “Have you eaten?” with genuine concern.
Mother’s Day came through last weekend and, as usual, everyone on WhatsApp became emotional. Statuses were flooded with old photos, heartfelt captions, and paragraphs long enough to qualify for free lunch somewhere. Some people even had to temporarily unblock their mothers first, which is beautiful growth honestly, because you cannot spend the entire year hiding your nightlife from your parent.
Mother’s Day is also the one time many of us rediscover people’s mothers.
“Eh! So that is your mum?”
Then suddenly the trauma flashes return.
Some of these women taught us in school. They beat us academically, spiritually, and emotionally. You would see her smiling softly in family photos online, yet you still remember her launching chalk across the classroom like an Olympic javelin athlete because you failed fractions in Primary Five. But we forgive them. It is Mother’s Day. Peace and blessings.
Still, every year the same question returns: why is Mother’s Day louder than Father’s Day?
Simple. Society turned motherhood into an emotional Avengers movie while fatherhood became a hardware promotion.
Mother’s Day has flowers, violins, brunches, perfume ads, spa packages, and captions beginning with:
“To my first love, my strength, my best friend.”
Father’s Day gets one WhatsApp broadcast saying:
“Happy Father’s Day to all responsible men.”
Even the wording sounds like fathers are being shortlisted for a government tender.
Globally, people spend far more money celebrating mothers than fathers. Which honestly makes sense. Mothers receive roses and surprise dinners. Fathers receive socks, nyama choma, and a belt they did not ask for.
Part of it is historical. Mother’s Day became official decades before Father’s Day, meaning mothers got a massive marketing head start. By the time fathers entered the calendar, restaurants had already emotionally invested in mums.
But culture also plays a role.
Mothers are remembered as visible sacrificers. The woman who sold tomatoes to pay school fees, fought malaria with bare hands, cooked supper, and still showed up for visiting day carrying hidden chicken in her handbag.
Fathers, meanwhile, were branded as providers. Respected deeply, yes, but emotionally marketed like electricity bills.
And honestly, many Ugandan dads do not even complain.
A father celebrates Father’s Day by washing the car in silence, refusing help, and saying:
“Me, I just want peace.”
Meanwhile mothers want appreciation, affection, and a proper lunch.
Still, things are changing. Modern fathers are far more involved now. They are changing diapers, attending school meetings, carrying babies in chest carriers while pretending they are still dangerous men.
But for now, Mother’s Day remains undefeated.
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