Polygamy in Uganda
Encyclopedia
Polygamy
is legal in the landlocked
African nation
of Uganda, where a man is allowed to married multiple wives at a time. Due to such, most families tend to contain an abundance of children. Uganda
is one of the few predominately Christian
nations to legally recognize polygamous unions, with others being the Republic of the Congo
, Zambia
, and Central African Republic
. The legal status of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
is disputed. There have been numerous attempts to outlaw polygamy in the country, the first of which was in 1987, though none of the active proposals have passed. Polygamy is being challenged in the constitutional court in a petition brought by MIFUMI in January 2010. The case :File:Polygamy Wiki Entry.pdf#filelinks has yet to be heard.
is one of the few countries allowing polygamous unions that do not have such restrictions. The bill later died, and similar proposals have yet to be made.
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
is legal in the landlocked
Landlocked
A landlocked country is a country entirely enclosed by land, or whose only coastlines lie on closed seas. There are 48 landlocked countries in the world, including partially recognized states...
African nation
Nation
A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. In this definition, a nation has no physical borders. However, it can also refer to people who share a common territory and government irrespective of their ethnic make-up...
of Uganda, where a man is allowed to married multiple wives at a time. Due to such, most families tend to contain an abundance of children. Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
is one of the few predominately Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
nations to legally recognize polygamous unions, with others being the Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
, Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
, and Central African Republic
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic , is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the north east, South Sudan in the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon in the west. The CAR covers a land area of about ,...
. The legal status of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
is disputed. There have been numerous attempts to outlaw polygamy in the country, the first of which was in 1987, though none of the active proposals have passed. Polygamy is being challenged in the constitutional court in a petition brought by MIFUMI in January 2010. The case :File:Polygamy Wiki Entry.pdf#filelinks has yet to be heard.
History of the Domestic Relations Bill
- 1987: The Domestic Relations Bill is officially drafted.
- 2003: An updated version of the Domestic Relations Bill, which would effectively outlaw polygamy, is drafted.
- November 2003: The CabinetCabinet of UgandaAccording to the Constitution of Uganda, "there shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the President, the Vice President and such number of Ministers as may appear to the President to be reasonably necessary for the efficient running of the State."...
approves the Domestic Relations Bill. - December 9, 2003: The Domestic Relations Bill goes before the Parliament.
- December 2003: The parliament rejects the Domestic Relations bill.
- 2005: The Domestic Relations Bill is reintroduced.
- March 29, 2005: A large protest against the bill is held.
- July 2005: The Domestic Relations Bill fails to pass.
- 2006: PresidentPresident of Uganda-List of Presidents of Uganda:-Affiliations:-See also:*Uganda*Vice President of Uganda*Prime Minister of Uganda*Politics of Uganda*History of Uganda*Political parties of Uganda...
Yoweri MuseveniYoweri MuseveniYoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
issues a statement regarding the bill, stating "[the bill] ... was not urgently needed'" - March 2008: President Museveni calls for the Domestic Relations Bill's "speedy passage"
- June 2008: The Parliament rejects the Domestic Relations Bill once more.
Protest against bill that would limit polygamy
On March 29, 2005, over 1,000 Ugandan Muslims rallied against a proposed bill that would require a husband to seek permission from his first wife before marrying any more women. UgandaUganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
is one of the few countries allowing polygamous unions that do not have such restrictions. The bill later died, and similar proposals have yet to be made.