Kampala, Uganda: The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced plans to publish a list of 4,000 accredited churches authorized to conduct certified marriages amid rising demand in the public.
This follows NIRA’s landmark registration of 2,889 civil marriages in its first year of operations, a number it expects to rise further during the festive season as more Ugandans return home for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
According to NIRA spokesperson Osbon Mushabe, the publicizing of the accredited churches is intended to help the public access legitimate marriage services and prevent fraudulent ceremonies, ensuring the integrity of civil marriages across the country.
Civil marriage registration was transferred from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to NIRA after a parliamentary amendment to the NIRA Act last year in September, and the authority is marking its first anniversary with a steady increase in couples choosing civil unions.
“Today, we mark one year of conducting civil marriages, and the number has reached 2,889 couples. We expect this number to rise during the festive season as many Ugandans return home to celebrate Christmas and the New Year,” Mushabe said.
He confirmed that the list of accredited churches will be published next week, enabling Ugandans to identify authorized institutions for certified marriages.
“As I speak now, we only have 4,000 churches authorized to conduct certified marriages. Next week, we shall publish the list so that Ugandans know where to access legitimate services,” Mushabe said.
Legal Requirements and Fees
Legal officer Naome Katushabe, presiding over the registration of 26 couples, emphasized the legal obligations of civil marriage: “Section 25 of the Marriage Act provides that one must be above 18 years, single, and must consent to the union. Once married under this arrangement, you cannot contract another marriage unless you obtain court redress,” Katushabe explained.
“Civil marriage services are Shs260,000 for Ugandan couples and USD 310 for non-Ugandans,” she added.
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