The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has registered a steady increase in couples opting for civil marriages since it began conducting the service a year ago.
According to NIRA spokesperson Osbon Mushabe, a total of 2,889 couples have so far tied the knot under the new arrangement, with more expected during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.
“Today we mark one year of conducting civil marriages, and the number has reached 2,889 couples. We expect this number to rise during the festive season as many Ugandans return home to celebrate Christmas and the New Year,” Mushabe said.
While presiding over the marriage of 26 couples, Naome Katushabe, a legal officer with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), reminded newlyweds that civil marriage is legally binding for life unless dissolved by a court of law.
“Section 25 of the Marriage Act provides that one must be above 18 years, single, and must consent to the union. Once married under this arrangement, you cannot contract another marriage unless you obtain court redress,” Katushabe explained.
In a related development, NIRA announced plans to publish a list of accredited churches across the country authorized to conduct certified marriages.
“As I speak now, we only have 4,000 churches authorized to conduct certified marriages. Next week, we shall publish the list so that Ugandans know where to access legitimate services,” Mushabe added.
Couples seeking civil marriage services at NIRA pay Shs260,000, while non-Ugandans are charged USD 310.
Last year, Parliament amended the NIRA Act, transferring the mandate to conduct civil marriages from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau to the National Identification and Registration Authority.
