THE EXAMINATION OF THE LAW ON BRIDE PRICE UNDER CUSTOMARY MARRIAGES IN UGANDA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ................................................................................... ~················ i

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

DEDICATION .................................................................................................. .

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

Table of Statutes ................................................................................................. vii

Table of Cases .................................................................................................... viii

LIST OF ACRONYMS ······························~~········································· ................ IX

ABSTRACT ······································~·~········~··································· .................... x

CHAPTER 0NE .................................................•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1

1.0 Introduction ···································~········· .. ··~···············~··································1

1.1 Background of the study ................................................................................ 2

1.2 PROBLEMSTATEMENT ..................................................... I ........................... 6

1.1.1 Specific objectives ....................................................................................... 7

1.3 Significance of the Study •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••• 7

1.4 Scope of the study ................................................. ~··········· .. ·•·••·•·········· ........··. 8

Geographical scope .................................................................................................. 8

1.5 Methodology ••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8

1.6 Literature Review···························~·························~· .. ········~······· .. ····· ............ I 9

1.12 Operational definitions of key terms ......................................................• 13

CHAP'fER TWO ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••....................... 15

2.0 Introduction ····················~························ .. ••••••••····••••••••••·········••··••······· .. ···15

2.1 International and regional legal framework ...................................·········· .. ·····15

2.2 National legal framework on women's rights ..............................···· .. ··············16

2.3 Conclusion ....................................................................··a··-------------··-··

CHAPTER THREE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 21

3.0 INTRODUCTION: ......................................................................................... 21

3.1 Positive Impact of Bride Price on Customary Marriages •............•..•.••.•.•............... 21

3.2 Negative Impact of Bride Price on Customary Marriages ...................................... 24

3.3 HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS ................................................................. 26

3.4 CONCLUSION: ................................................................................ , ............. 27

CHAPTER FOUR •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••....•••••••••••••••••••••••.•.•.............••..•........... 29

4.0 Introduction .................................................................................................... 29

4.1.1 Historical and theoretical context .................................................................... 29

4.1.2 The positive and negative impacts on bride price ............................................... 30

4.1.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 31

4.2 Recommendations •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 33

4.3.1 How could reform be carried out? ................................................................ 33

4.3.2 National level ................................................................................................ 34

REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 35

ABSTRACT 

This research paper contributes a vital element to the studies, debates and literature on bnuc price. While employing a systematic conceptual frame work to ground its analysis of the perceptions, experiences, processes and outcomes of bride price payment, it uses data collected from interviews, literature and observation to bring out the voices and experiences of the rxopk most affected by bride price, that is, the men and women at the grass root whose voice has been missing in literature and debate. The study focuses on data collection in Uganda to answer the question: How do notions or masculinity/femininity, gender, class and modernisation influences people's experiences and perceptions on bride price? It also argues that with forces of modernisation coupled with the desire for actors to conform to particular class status, the practice has turned too commercialised, lost its original meaning, at1ll makes women appear like purchased commodities. The prohibitive costs have denied several young men and women a chance to marry. The paper recommends that much as it not necessary to abolish the practice (as demanded b1 several activists and legislators), serious reforms are required to remove the commodification and financial motives so as to make it affordable by many intending to marry.