Meet Musa Hasahya, the Ugandan farmer with 12 marriages, 102 sons and daughters, and 568 grandchildren

In an amazing and somewhat overwhelming tale from Uganda, a man has attracted notice for fathering 102 children with his 12 wives. Not only a parent but also a grandfather to 578 grandkids, Musa Hasahya Kasera is 70-year-old man from Mukiza community in eastern Uganda. But his large family has brought its own difficulties; one of the most important ones is his difficulty to recall the names of every one of his offspring. Musa even made a personal register where he notes his children's names in order to keep track of everyone.

Musa's familial circumstances deviate much from the norm. Given 102 offspring and 578 grandchildren, it is not surprising that running his house has grown to be a somewhat difficult chore. Still, the difficulties go beyond simply name recall. Musa has been candid about the challenging reality of running such a big family. His and his spouses find it difficult to support everyone given limited money and regular hunger. Even with his best efforts, the weight of providing for and teaching every one of his children never goes away.

Musa claims that he has eight or nine children with every marriage, which totals a rising count of dependents. Supporting having a big family has been a continuous challenge, he says, and he has had to figure out how to handle things. Musa came to see at one time that it would be impossible to sustainably feed all the children he had produced. In response, seeking to control the future number of children he would produce, he chose to provide his spouses contraceptive pills.

Musa's path as a father started in 1972 when he wed his first bride at seventeen. He married twelve women in turn throughout the years, and every marriage produced fresh set of children. He did not really understand at the time the emotional and financial toll having such a big family would demand. His priorities were more on the delight of having numerous children, but now in his older years the reality of running such a big family has taken front stage.

This unusual and difficult circumstances has spurred more general debates on family planning, overcrowding, and the need of resource management. In a world when birth rates are generally dropping, Musa's narrative highlights the challenges of raising big families, particularly in places where resources are already limited. His background begs issues about the necessity of family planning programs, education, and assistance for households maybe facing similar circumstances.

Though Musa's situation is not unique, the sheer magnitude of his family makes it notable. It also emphasises the need of making sure people have access to the tools they need to sustainably run their families and receive knowledge about family planning. Having numerous children obviously makes one happy and proud, but it also calls for meticulous planning to make sure everyone's fundamental needs are satisfied.

Regarding Musa, he continues to be a proud grandfather and father in spite of obstacles. Though challenging, his allegiance to his big family reflects his will to support and take care of his loved ones. One thing is certain, though: his family is his heart and he keeps trying to make sure they are taken care of regardless of the challenges they encounter: he may find it difficult to recall all their names.

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