Ssewungu demands clarity on national ID requirement for marriage ceremonies

The Member of Parliament for Kalungu West, Joseph Ssewungu has called on the government to explain its recent directive requiring couples to present national IDs before being allowed to conduct marriage ceremonies.

Ssewungu argues that the new mandate contradicts religious practices, particularly within the Catholic Church, which traditionally requires baptism and confirmation cards for marriage.

“Yesterday, we saw the government directing that they won’t legalize any marriage unless you have a National Identity Card. But our beliefs differ. As a Catholic, I was baptized and confirmed. Currently, in our constituencies, people are engaging in customary marriages, which do not require such documents,” Ssewungu said during a parliamentary session.

He questioned the motive behind the directive and emphasised that the use of national IDs should not interfere with established religious customs.

He also noted that many national IDs are nearing expiration, even though the National Identification Numbers (NINs) remain valid.

“So, we want the minister to come here and explain what they intend to address with this directive because most of our national IDs are expiring, yet our NINs are still valid. Why must I, a Catholic who was baptised, have a national ID before my marriage can be registered?” he added.

In response, David Bahati, the Minister of State for Industries, requested more time for the relevant ministry to clarify the directive.

The issue has ignited a debate over the balance between state regulations and religious practices, with MPs calling for a comprehensive explanation from the government.

According to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Ugandans without a National Identification Number (NIN) will not be able to enter valid marriages.

The URSB issued a notice in early August, requiring all places of worship and other stakeholders licensed to sanctify marriages on behalf of the government to comply with the new regulation.

Denis Nabende, URSB’s public relations manager, told the media that the new policy applies to all forms of marriage, including customary, church, and civil.

He emphasised the importance of verifying the identity of those entering into marriage.

“Before, churches didn’t require IDs. For instance, in the Catholic Church, a baptism card was sufficient. Now, that is no longer the case because there’s no proof of identity with a baptism card,” Nabende explained.

He added, “We need to know who is actually getting married to list it in the National Marriage Register. Once you provide your name, we can register it in the National Marriage Register... and that’s why we require a national ID.”