Church blames marriage breakups on social media

Jan 05, 2017

Divorces are easily seen and reported about in the media in case of legal marriages but there are so many separations within houses that we don't know. They separate beds and rooms in their houses.

Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church Central Uganda Conference Bishop Pr. Samuel Kajoba. PHOTO/Abou Kisige 

As the saying always goes, 'every good thing comes with its implication' which could be positive or negative; this saying has been tested and proved by the invention of internet and social media.

In spite of its importance in easing communication and economic development, social media has also been seen as a main contributory factor that has accelerated divorce and separation among couples in the country.

According to the Bishop of Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Central Uganda Conference, Pr. Samuel Kajoba, social media has become a major challenge to marriages, cutting across all ages.

 "This has caused a huge problem and has led to separation and divorce. Married people no longer have time for each. They have time for other people on social media like Facebook and WhatsApp among others," he added.

He said this while addressing journalists at the Central Uganda Conference Headquarters in Kireka in Wakiso, on the forthcoming national 12th Annual Corporate Prayer dubbed; "Okusaba Kw'okusumulula" slated to take place at Mandela National Stadium on Sunday.     

Communications and Education Director of the Central Uganda Conference (CUC) Pastor Rogers Kaggwa and the Bishop of CUC Samuel Kajoba addressing Journalists. PHOTO/Abou Kisige

Kajoba regretted that a number of spouses spend time watching useless things like pornographic material that disorient their minds. "So when they go back home, they look at their wives and husbands as useless people who cannot appease them."

He said: "Divorces are easily seen and reported about in the media in case of legal marriages but there are so many separations within houses that we don't know. They separate beds and rooms in their houses."

He added that those in courtships who separate everyday are many.    

However, Kajoba also attributed the cases of divorce to lack preparation especially among the young couples.

"Many go into marriage to get travel documents and wealth, while others marry for security of their jobs. Such people are not prepared and always have no commitment," Kajoba noted.

He said this is so, because people have neglected the biblical principles on marriage. "People have failed to abide by the word of God. Women are told to submit to their husbands, and husbands to love their wives. It is a command from the creator but not our choice once we accept to go into marriage," he said.

According to statistics from the High Court Family Division in 2013, a total of 32 couples divorced.

Kajoba said they want to pray to God, to strengthen families as the foundation of the good nation.

They also intend to pray for the President and his executive, Speaker and leaders at various levels for God's guidance. 

 "We call on our leaders to love their country. We know the President might want to do better things but those around him can be a problem. Many behave like they have another country where they belong. They embezzle funds for projects and it is the reason we are suffering," he said.

He noted that if Uganda's Motto "For God and my Country" is respected, Uganda can be a better place.

Kajoba stressed that Ugandans cannot achieve anything if they do not turn to God. "That is why we want to pray for spiritual revival among our leaders and all Ugandans," he noted.

Pr. Yafesi Walugembe, the ministerial and family life secretary, said all Ugandans need to know that blessings come from God and need to thank Him for protecting them into the New Year. "We must praise God for his goodness and dedicate our challenges to him," he added.

Last year the event attracted about 35,000 worshippers from different beliefs from which 750 got baptized.

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