The Influence of Domestic Violence On Early Marriages in Buwenge Sub County Jinja District

ABSTRACT Early marriage is a common problem that is believed to be rapidly increasing worldwide. Uganda has the world’s second largest youngest population with 78% below the age of 30 and 60% under the age of 20. Regionally, early marriage rates are overwhelming. The rates are high, in Northern Uganda (59%), followed by Western (58%), Eastern (52%), East Central (52%), West Nile (50%) and Central (41%).2013, about 85% of Buwenge’s married were married before the age of 18 and they are very many factors leading to this for example domestic violence, poverty, school dropout among others. Buwenge Sub County is a county found in Jinja district. It is comprised of the young, old, bodied and those with disabilities. It is boarded by Luzinga in the North East, Butamila to the south east, Mabila to the south, Mawoto to the west and Kiroroto in the North. The objective is to find out the influence of domestic violence on early marriages in Buwenge Sub County. Systematic random sampling of respondents was used selected from local councils, local leaders, young girls and even community members. A qualitative and quantitative method of data collection was used. Data was coded, cleaned and entered for analysis. Data collected was presented in tables and bar chart. The Findings of the study show that the majority of the respondents were females with the percentage being 51% of the respondents this is because women/girls are the most affected with the issue of getting married at an early age and they even face the issue of domestic violence. This was the reason why they were willing to give me time and answer the questionnaires and questions concerning them followed by 61% of the youths respondents between the ages of 18-29 years. The study conclusion concerning the influence of domestic violence on early marriages, findings looked at the causes of domestic violence. Majority of respondents 50% gave poverty as the main cause of domestic violence with the highest percentage. This is as a result of unemployment and this therefore contributes to domestic violence. The study recommendations that the government should enact and enforce restrictive measures since domestic violence have been found as the main cause of early marriages in Buwenge Sub County. The government should strengthen education programs since these people with low level of education are more likely to get married at an early age.