Uganda: Amid rising cases of gender-based violence, lawmakers urge revival of marriage and divorce law

The aim is to uphold constitutional guarantees regarding marriage, integrate best international practices and address issues such as property rights, consortium and marital disputes.

In 2016, efforts to advance the bill were reinvigorated, with a strategic focus on addressing public opposition.

At a workshop to push for the law to be passed quickly, it was decided to rename it the “Marriage Act” to avoid controversial issues such as cohabitation and to postpone them for further study.

The aim of this renaming was to present the draft law in a more positive light and to streamline the legislative process by taking into account the concerns of those involved.

Despite the bill being renamed the Marriage Act, 2017, stakeholders advised against introducing it, fearing that it might hamper the legislative process.

Instead, they recommended submitting amendments to the original 2009 bill.

These proposals were submitted to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Attorney General for further review in 2018.

Given the increasing gender-based violence, many politicians believe that the Marriage and Divorce Bill is essential to address social problems related to failed marriages and their wider impact on governance and social stability.

They argue that a modern legal framework is needed to address the growing problem of domestic violence and protect both men and women from the devastating consequences of unexpected marital disputes.

The push to revive the bill underscores the urgent need for reform of Uganda's marriage laws, with lawmakers calling for swift action to protect the lives and rights of the country's citizens.