Uganda might soon see big changes to marriage laws. A new bill could jail men for demanding marriage gifts back from their spouse's family. Women MPs Sarah Opendi and Dorcus Acen want to shake up how marriages work across the country.
The bill aims to create fairer rules for everyone. It sets 18 as the minimum age for marriage and recognizes different types of weddings. Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and customary marriages would all have equal standing under the law. Couples would need to give notice 21 days before their wedding and have three months to tie the knot after that.
Some rules might surprise people. Anyone who claims to be married when they are not could face serious trouble. The same goes for people who marry someone already married. Fines could reach 10 million Ugandan shillings, and jail time could stretch to five years. Cohabiting couples might also face punishment if they don't formalize their relationship.
Property rules would change dramatically. Both partners would have equal rights to family assets. Wives could keep their maiden name or take their husband's surname. Debts for family needs would become a shared responsibility. The bill even prevents DNA testing of children without a court order.
Religious leaders support some tough measures. The Inter-Religious Council wants to crack down on informal relationships. They believe official marriages protect everyone involved. Legal experts warn the bill might change before becoming law. Parliament will review every detail carefully.
The national marriage register would become a public electronic database. Anyone could check someone's marital status for a small fee. The goal is more transparency and fewer chances for fraud. Women would get more protection, and men would face stricter rules about how they treat their partners and families.
Marriage gifts would become sacred. People would no longer be demanding them back after a relationship ends. Men who try to reclaim these gifts could spend up to three years in prison. The bill represents a massive cultural shift for Uganda. It promises to make marriages fairer and give both partners more equal footing under the law.
The bill aims to create fairer rules for everyone. It sets 18 as the minimum age for marriage and recognizes different types of weddings. Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and customary marriages would all have equal standing under the law. Couples would need to give notice 21 days before their wedding and have three months to tie the knot after that.
Some rules might surprise people. Anyone who claims to be married when they are not could face serious trouble. The same goes for people who marry someone already married. Fines could reach 10 million Ugandan shillings, and jail time could stretch to five years. Cohabiting couples might also face punishment if they don't formalize their relationship.
Property rules would change dramatically. Both partners would have equal rights to family assets. Wives could keep their maiden name or take their husband's surname. Debts for family needs would become a shared responsibility. The bill even prevents DNA testing of children without a court order.
Religious leaders support some tough measures. The Inter-Religious Council wants to crack down on informal relationships. They believe official marriages protect everyone involved. Legal experts warn the bill might change before becoming law. Parliament will review every detail carefully.
The national marriage register would become a public electronic database. Anyone could check someone's marital status for a small fee. The goal is more transparency and fewer chances for fraud. Women would get more protection, and men would face stricter rules about how they treat their partners and families.
Marriage gifts would become sacred. People would no longer be demanding them back after a relationship ends. Men who try to reclaim these gifts could spend up to three years in prison. The bill represents a massive cultural shift for Uganda. It promises to make marriages fairer and give both partners more equal footing under the law.
