Civil marriage is the way to go, says URSB

The Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB) has called upon people who cannot afford flamboyant weddings to consider civil marriage.

This was revealed on Wednesday by the director of marriages at URSB, Philip Kalibbala as he conducted civil weddings of seven couples which were sponsored by the Bureau.

"Being Valentine's Day, we have decided to give back to our clients to celebrate love and show the public that civil marriage is not an alternative wedding, it is one of the options and you can use the certificate worldwide in comparison to the church/mosque marriage," noted Kalibbala.

Tesfit Beyene and Semhat Eseya arriving at the Uganda Registrations Services Bureau Kampala for their civil wedding ceremony.

 
Kalibbala said that the public should realise that what matters most at a wedding are the vows and not the money spent on the occasion.

"A wedding is a one-day ceremony, after all life has to continue. It's meaningless to have a flamboyant wedding and live miserably in debt the following week or month," said Kalibbala.

Semhat Eseyas, an Eritrean national said that though civil marriage is not common in Uganda and most people do not respect it especially family members, it is the best marriage because it is simple, and less costly.

Mustafah Ssali and Salim Hudah kissing after the registrar pronounced them man and wife

 
"I have been dating my husband for 10years, and we were being held back by finances, I was advised to go civil and I thank God I did not even spend a million," noted Eseyas.

Asked why he considered a civil marriage, Joseph Kanyike, said that with his busy schedule he has managed to pull off a stress free marriage.

"In some Muslim countries, a church wedding is not respected but civil it is considered everywhere. I decided to be wedded today on Valentine's Day because it will be easy for my wife to remember our anniversary," noted Kanyike.

 
What it takes

With a civil marriage, it's the presence of an authorized marriage registrar that is important. It's up to you to choose a venue of your choice and the ceremony will take place.

No religious affiliations are met but the legal requirements of that country are what the couple needs to meet.

Civil marriage helps in cutting down costs that would be spent on paying exorbitant church fees, church decoration and the church, the choir and others. This money can be used to arrange a reasonable reception with close family members and friends.

Joseph and Carol Kanyike posing for a photo shortly after their civil wedding at Uganda Registrations Services Bureau Kampala