To my MP about the Marriage & Divorce Bill

Dear Honourable, The marriage and Divorce Bill which we all along new as the Domestic Relations Bill has caused a lot of storm and is now the talk all over your constituency. As you sought our votes, I am yet to see you at our local church to seek our views about this bill. These never the less are my views: The name of the bill Honourable, why are we calling it ‘Marriage and Divorce Bill’? Having ‘Divorce’ in the name of this proposed law betrays its good intention! Not all marriages will end in divorce. You also have noticed that the name of this bill when translated into our local language sounds vague. This is because our language cherishes marriage but loathes divorce. Religious leaders and elders concerns I appeal that you listen to our Bishops, Sheiks and elders before going ahead to pass this bill into law. They have a legitimate right to be concerned. Most marriages of our land are made at church and mosque but broken in court using laws! The religious leaders perhaps know more about making marriages than our courts and parliament. These leaders do pre marital counselling, conduct weddings, post marital counselling and initiate/baptize children. They are part of the family lives of many and know more. The Children This bill is not so clear about the plight of Children in case of divorce. By children, I mean all people less than 18 years that should be under the care of adults; the biological children, the children of our extended family, those adopted and children begotten out of wedlock. This bill should be clear on their rights in case of divorce. The poor women I do not want to join the rest of the people who have termed this a bill of the “learned” woman. Nevertheless, Honourable, you and I know about women in our villages that own not property but are hardworking and rich at heart. They did not inherit any land, cows or education from their fathers but are married to men who inherited the little they leave on. What is the fate of these women on sharing property in case of divorce? This bill in its current states may exploit the rights of such mothers. Our Culture This bill touches on a number of our values and norms. A marriage in our culture is not a two people affair as the bill insinuates. It is a tribe, clan and family affair. For example at okuhingira (give away ceremony), the bride is handed to the groom’s father and his clan. This aspect of culture signifies new birth, a smooth bond of two families and protection to the young woman. Our culture also appreciates conflicts, separation and provides for ‘repentance’, forgiveness and re-union in marriage. Does the bill provide for this after divorce? The Best way to fight awful culture is not through enforcement of controversial laws but through sensitization. Widow inheritance is dying this way. Most of our cultural practices are not harmful but have been manipulated by our corrupt modern intentions. Lastly Honourable, the heart of the bill is on the sharing of property. The clause is however void of the virtues of wealth creation. It falls short of promoting hard work and stewardship among on spouses. Won’t such mere sharing of property promote laziness and theft? I hope my letter will reach you.

Let 2013 be a year of peace, change and development

The 'long gone' 2012 was a year special for Uganda! It was supposed to be a year of joy, celebration and unity of all Ugandans regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliation. As Ugandans, we were supposed to join in the Jubilee celebrations as a family and focus on what unites us other than what divides us. However, political intrigue, selfishness, corruption, negligence and other vices continued to manifest in the ‘jubilee year’! Some politicians labeled the jubilee celebrations a waste of time and money, huge corruption scandals were reported while hatred amongst top public figures grew. Let 2013 be a year of peace amongst civil servants and politicians where the drive to provide leadership and services to the people supersedes personal egos and political disguises. Let this be a year of public accountability. Let it be that the drive to serve overrides the drive to steal. When those in government ministries, Commissions and authorities decide to be good stewards, then those in local councils will be forced to follow suit. This would reduce the strain on the national budgets already affected by donor cuts. Let 2013 be a year of commitment to duty for all in public offices. Let it be that no mother dies in labour due to negligence of health workers. Hellen Keller, an accomplished author and the first deaf blind to earn a Bachelors of Arts Degree once said, ‘’the world is moving along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker<’’. Let the next eleven months be a period of honest work and ultimately peace and development will be realised for all of us.