A Critical Analysis On The Law Relating To Marriages In Uganda

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ..................................................................................................................... i

APPROVAL ............................................................................................................................ ii

DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................................................... iv

LIST OF CASES ...................................................................................................................... v

LIST OF STATUTES ............................................................................................................ vi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................ xi

CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................................... l

1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ !

1.1 Background to the study .................................................................................................... .3

1.1.1 Christian marriage .......................................................................................................... .4

1.1.2 Marriage under Modem Christian Law: ......................................................................... 5

1.1.3 Marriage under old Hindu Law ....................................................................................... 6

1.1.3 Mohammedan Marriage .................................................................................................. 8

1.2 Statement of the problem ................................................................................................... 9

1.3 Objectives of the study ..................................................................................................... IO

1.3.1 General objective .......................................................................................................... 10

1.1.2 Specific Objectives ........................................................................................................ IO

1.4 Research questions ........................................................................................................... !!

1.5 Hypothesis ........................................................................................................................ !!

1.6 Significance of the study .................................................................................................. !!

1.7 Methodology .................................................................................................................... 12

1.8 Limitations of the study ................................................................................................... 12

1.9 chapter synopsis ............................................................................................................... 12

CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................. 14

LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................... 14

2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... l4

2.1 Definitions of marriage .................................................................................................... 14

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2.2 Selection of Marriage Partner .......................................................................................... 15

2.3 Marriage as understood by different authors ................................................................... 17

2.4 African Marriage .............................................................................................................. 23

2.5 Marriage in Uganda .......................................................................................................... 25

2.6 Chapter conclusion ........................................................................................................... 26

CHAPTER THREE .......... : .................................................................................................. 27

LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF TYPES OF MARRIAGE IN UGANDA .......................... 27

3.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 27

3.1 The Constitution of Uganda 1995: ................................................................................... 27

3.2 The Marriage ACT CAP 251 ........................................................................................... 28

3.3 Customary Marriage (Registration) Act Cap 248: ........................................................... 32

3.4 The Marriage and Divorce of Mohammedans Act. Cap 252 .......................................... .34

3.5 The Hindu Marriage and Divorce Act. Cap 250 .............................................................. 36

3.6 The Hindu Marriage and Divorce (Marriage Registration) Rules. S.I 250-1 .................. 37

3.7 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 37

CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................................ 38

THE ELEMENTS OF A VALID MARRIAGE AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES

UNDER WIDCH THAT CAN BE TERMINATED UNDER DIFFERENT

MARRIAGE LAWS IN UGANDA . ................................................................................... 38

4.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 38

4.1 Necessity of Bride wealth and customary marriage ......................................................... 38

4.2 Parties to be male and female .......................................................................................... .41

4.3 Parties must not be within the prohibited degrees of kindred and consanguinity .......... ..42

4.4 Consent in maniage ........................................................................................................ .43

4.5 Voidable Marriages .......................................................................................................... 44

4.6 Mistake, Misrepresentation and Fraud ........................................................................... ..45

4.7 Fraudulent Concealment offaith ..................................................................................... .45

4.8 Mistake as to identity ...................................................................................................... .46

4.9 Mistake as to the nature of the ceremony ........................................................................ .46

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4.10 Fear and Duress ............................................................................................................. .47

4.11 Consent ........................................................................................................................... 48

4.12 The legal effect of marriage .......................................................................................... .48

4.13 Acquisition of status of being married .......................................................................... .49

4.14 Right of the wife to use the husband's name ................................................................ .49

4.15 Acquisition of the husband's domicile .......................................................................... .49

4.16 Conjugal rights/Consortium .......................................................................................... .49

4.19 Presumption of legitimacy ............................................................................................. 50

1.20 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 50

CHAPTER FIVE .................................................................................................................. 51

CHALLENGES, REFORMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MARRIAGES IN

UGANNDA ........................................................................................................................... 5!

5. 0 Introductions ................................................................................................................... .51

5.1 CHALLENGES ................................................................................................................ 51

5.1.1 Infidelity ........................................................................................................................ 51

5.1.2 Emotional Infidelity ....................................................................................................... 51

5.1.2 Domestic Violence ....................................................................................................... 52

5.1.3 Infertility ....................................................................................................................... 53

5.1.4 Lacking Complete Communication ............................................................................. 53

5.1.5 Sexual differences ......................................................................................................... 54

5.1.6 Values and beliefs ........................................................................................................ 54

5.1.7 Technology Interference ............................................................................................... 55

5.1.7 Lacking Trust ............................................................................................................... 55

5.1.8 Changing Future Ambitions .......................................................................................... 55

5.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 56

5.2.1 Parental Consent and Connnunal Wedding Process ..................................................... 56

5.2.2 Importance of a Functioning Tribunal System in Uganda ............................................ 56

5.2.3 Turning toward each other instead of away: ................................................................. 56

5.2.4 Solving solvable conflicts: ............................................................................................ 5?

5.2.5 Expedite the process of enacting the new divorce Act. ............................................... 57

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5.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 58

References .............................................................................................................................. 59

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