By 9am, the second floor of was abuzz with activities as bridal entourages paced up and down waiting to tie the knot in a ceremony presided over by Vincent Katutsi, the commissioner for Civil Registration at NIRA.
The 14 couples including Ugandans, Congolese and Eritreans made their vows in a special Valentine’s Day treat organised by the National Identification and Registration Authority(NIRA).
Katutsi said NIRA had decided to give a special treat to couples ahead of Valentine’s Day , tomorrow Saturday.
“ As you know, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. We chose to celebrate today, on Friday, by officiating marriages for 14 couples who have made the important decision to formalise their unions.At NIRA, we are always excited about occasions like this. First, because we celebrate love. And second, because we celebrate the legal union of our people. Marriage plays a vital role in stabilising our social environment. When individuals willingly commit to each other under the law, it strengthens families and communities,” Katutsi said.
He explained that as adults choose the marriage path, it is important that they formalise that union properly.
He said in Kampala, NIRA conducts civil marriages while in the districts, the responsibility is handled by the Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs).
The commissioner for Civil Registration at NIRA however emphasised that civil marriage is not the only recognised form of marriage.
“Ugandans may also marry in church, through customary ceremonies, or through Nikah. All these forms of marriage are valid—provided they are conducted by authorised persons or institutions and are properly registered with NIRA. Our message today is simple: if you are married, ensure that your marriage is registered. Registration creates an official government record of your union. This record becomes your legal proof of marriage,” Katutsi said.
He underscored the need to register marriages, highlighting several benefits.
“Registration provides legal proof of the union, protects spouses’ rights, safeguards children’s rights, helps resolve property matters, supports estate and succession processes and facilitates services such as bank transactions and loan applications.
“It is often required for immigration and cross-border travel, where embassies may ask for proof of marital status. Think of a marriage certificate like a land title. You may not “use” it daily, but when ownership or rights are questioned, you have evidence,” Katutsi said.
He however warned that contracting another marriage while one is still continuing is criminal and punishable under the law.
“The law provides penalties for such actions. Therefore, one cannot legally enter into another civil or church marriage while already married under those systems.”
The commissioner for Civil Registration at NIRA said the process for civil marriage costs about shs300,000.
