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KAMPALA - The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has organised its inaugural marriage registration conference.

The conference, held under the theme: Relevance of Marriage Registration in Uganda, aimed to shed light on the significance of marriage registration and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

URSB in a statement issued on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, which was Valentines Day, said the conference organised in conjunction with the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) brought together an array of stakeholders, including government officials, religious leaders, legal experts, civil society organisations, policy makers, marriage celebrants and local government duty-bearers.

The diverse range of participants allowed for a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities surrounding marriage registration in Uganda.

Throughout the conference, discussions ensued on various topics related to marriage registration. URSB board chairperson Ambassador Francis Butagira said registration of marriages is vital for national development. 

“As a progressive society, we would like to get to a point where we have a secure, complete, accurate, and reliable marriage registry. Such a registry can be used variously, for administrative and planning purposes or to enforce rights and responsibilities of individual,” he said.

Discussions during the conference covered issues such as the legal framework governing marriage registration, the importance of accurate and up-to-date data, and the role of technology in enhancing the efficiency of registration processes. JLOS Secretariat deputy senior technical advisor Sam Wairagala said documentation of marriages was vital for data build-up needed for planning purposes. 

Some of the participants who attended URSB's first ever Marriage Conference.

“URSB has made great strides in digitising processes.  Accurate and up-to-date data on registered marriages allows policymakers to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and implement targeted interventions to address societal needs,” he added.

One of the key takeaways from the conference was the recognition of marriage registration as a fundamental aspect of legal identity and a means to protect individuals' rights. 

URSB registrar general Mercy K. Kainobwisho said the number of couples choosing to hold civil marriages had increased. 

“Tremendous progress has been made in registration of marriages as is evidenced by the ever-increasing number of marriages being registered. Presently, we solemnise over 60 civil marriages a week. By registering their marriages, couples establish a legally binding union, which grants them certain rights and protections under the law. This includes inheritance rights, access to social security benefits, and the ability to resolve disputes through legal channels,” she said.

The conference also provided a platform for experts from diverse fields to share their perspectives on the state of marriage registration in Uganda, legal framework of marriage and divorce, succession, and administration of estates in the context of marriage registration, among others.

Legal protection

One of the key values emphasized by the panellists was the legal recognition that marriage registration provides.

“Registered marriages provide couples with legal protection. Moreover, marriage registration contributes to the prevention of child marriages and helps in the fight against gender-based violence” URSB director civil registration Vincent Katutsi said.