The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has endorsed a proposal to criminalize cohabitation in Uganda. If adopted by Parliament, this measure would subject couples in such arrangements to a three-year jail sentence or a fine of Shs 10 million.
The Council’s stance was presented by Joseph Serwadda, Co-Chairperson of the Inter-Religious Council of Presidents, during a joint meeting of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and the Committee on Gender, Labour, and Social Development. These committees are responsible for reviewing both the Marriage Bill, 2024, introduced by Sarah Opendi (Tororo District Woman MP), and the Sexual Offences Bill, 2024, sponsored by Soroti District Woman MP Anna Adeke.
“While we advocate for the criminalization of cohabitation under the Bill, we recognize the need to provide adequate legal protection for parties involved, including children and property acquired in cohabitation relationships. Given the significant number of relationships based on cohabitation, the IRCU recommends that the government enact a separate law—distinct from the Marriage Bill, 2024—to regulate cohabiting relationships,” Serwadda stated.
Clause 89 of the Marriage Bill proposes a fine of Shs 10 million or a three-year prison sentence for individuals who misrepresent themselves as being married. Opendi clarified that, under the Bill, “holding out” as married includes living together as husband and wife, jointly acquiring or owning property, having children together, or a woman adopting the man’s surname.
