KCCA Opens Breastfeeding Room at City Hall to Support Working Mothers

The facility provides nursing mothers at KCCA with a private, hygienic space to breastfeed or express milk while at work, easing the challenge of balancing careers and childcare.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has opened a dedicated breastfeeding room at City Hall to provide nursing mothers with a private and hygienic space to breastfeed or express breast milk while at work.

The facility was launched as Uganda joins the rest of the world in observing August as Breastfeeding Month, with KCCA saying it is intended to make it easier for mothers to continue breastfeeding while meeting their workplace responsibilities.

For many working mothers, returning to work after childbirth presents a difficult balancing act as they try to meet professional demands while continuing to provide breast milk to their babies.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki said the new facility is intended to remove some of the barriers nursing mothers face in the workplace.

“This is more than a legal obligation. It is a demonstration of our people-centred approach,” Buzeki said.

She said supporting employees' families and children contributes to a more productive workforce because mothers can focus on their work knowing that their children's needs are being supported.

The facility was established and equipped with support from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), which KCCA said played an important role in making the initiative possible.

For a mother with a young baby, a breastfeeding room provides more than a physical space. It offers privacy, dignity and peace of mind during the working day.

Instead of having to search for a secluded corner or leave the workplace to find a suitable place to express milk, mothers at City Hall can now use a dedicated facility designed for that purpose.

KCCA Deputy Executive Director Benon Kigenyi said supporting mothers ultimately benefits the workplace, noting that women are better able to perform their duties when they are confident that their children are safe and cared for.

KCCA Director of Public Health and Environment Dr Sarah Zalwango said the Authority was joining other institutions in creating breastfeeding-friendly spaces for working mothers.

She said similar facilities are already available at some KCCA-managed spaces, including Busega and Wandegeya markets.

Buzeki called for the initiative to be expanded to more KCCA workplaces, including division offices and markets, where many mothers spend their working days.

She challenged development partners to support the establishment of additional breastfeeding facilities as part of efforts to create workplaces that accommodate the needs of nursing mothers.

The Ministry of Health and development partners welcomed the initiative, emphasising the role workplaces can play in enabling mothers to continue breastfeeding while pursuing their careers.

The initiative comes as Uganda observes Breastfeeding Month, providing an opportunity to highlight the importance of creating supportive environments for mothers both at home and in the workplace.