The Impact of Payment of Bride Price on Traditional Marriage: a Case Study of Iganga District

THE IMPACT OF PAYMENT OF BRIDE PRICE ON TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE: A CASE STUDY OF IGANGA DISTRICT

KAUDHA KEVIN

1153-07234-00385

A RESEARCH SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION, OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING U~ PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF A BACHELORS OF ART WITH EDUCATION OF KAMPALA INTERNATIONA UNIVERSITY

SEPTEMBER 2018 DECLARATION I KAUDHA KEViN do hereby declare that this is my original work and has not been submitted to any institution or University for the award of Certificate, Diploma or Bachelors degree.

Sign ¶~..~..Date.fi~(5~QIQ°t~ APPROVAL

This research dissertation entitled “The Impact of Payment of Bride Price on Traditional Marriage: A case study of Iganga District” was done under my supervision as a University Supervisor.

Si~ed ~

Date: DEDICATION This dessertation is dedicated to my beloved parents; Mr. and Mrs. Bakole Stephen

111 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to deeply convey my gratitude to God Almighty for his gift of knowledge, wisdom and good health, through which I was sustained to finish this research.

I also extend my sincere gratitude to my beloved Parents; Mr, and Mrs. Bakole Stephen for their tireless words of advice, encouragement, spiritual and financial support towards my academic struggle.

I was also wish to express my gratitude towards by brothers and Sisters; Justine, Milly, Mercy, Annet, Daniel, and Samuel, for the emotional comfort, courage and all the kinds of support rendered to me during the process of my research and studies.

I am most grateful to my Supervisor, Dr. Afarn whose pieces of advice and guidelines have wholesomely contributed to the success of this research.

I would also like to recognise the work of my Faculty and all the lecturers whose efforts and teachings contributed towards my dessertation, especially Rev. Father Benedict Birungi, Mr. Laaki Samson and Mrs. Gwokyalya Edith.

My sincere grattitude also goes to my all my dear friends especially Opolot Ronny Edward for the pieces of advice, opinion, emotional support and guidance that led to the successful completion of this research. I also acknowledge Hyuya Anthony whose emotional comfort and academic ancouragement contributed towards my success.

iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Conceptual Framework 18

Figure 2: A pie Chart showing Education levels of respondents 31

v LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Showing age of respondents .28

Table 2: Showing gender of respondents 29

Table 3: Showing marital status of respondents 30

Table 4: Showing awareness of bride price 32

Table 5: Showing response to necessity to pay Bride Price 32

Table 6: Showing how bride price should be paid 33

Table 7: Showing Impacts of payment of bride price 34

Table 8: Showing Negative Impacts of payment of bride price 35

Table 9: Showing ways of avoidance of negative impacts of bride price 37

Table 10: Showing the effect of bride price on settled marriages 38

Table 11: Showing whether parents play a role in decission making 39

Table 12: Showing roles played by parents in decission making process in payment of bride price

Table 13: Showing whether Parent’s decissions impact on bride price 40

Table 14: Showing positive impacts of parent’s decissions 41

Table 15: Showing negative impacts of parent’s decissions 42

Table 16: Showing Recommendations on payment of bride price 43

vi TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION .1 APPROVAL DEDICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION i 1.1 Background of the study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 3

1.3. Objectives of the study 3

1.3.1 General objective 3

1.3.2 The Specific objectives of study are 4

1.4 Research Questions 4

1.5 Scope of the study 1.5.1 Geographical scope 4 1.5.2 Content scope 4

1.5.3 Time scope

1.6 Significance of the study 4

1.7 Conceptual Framework 5

CHAPTER TWO 7 LITERATURE REVIEW 7 2.0 INTRODUCTION 7

2.1 The impact of payment of Bride Price to the process of traditional marriage 7

2.2 The impact of Payment of Bride Price to existing Marriages 7

vii 2.2.1 Bride Price and interaction of spouces . 7

2.2.2 Bride Price and Abuse of Women Rights 8

2.2.3 Bride Price and Domestic Violence :.. 9

2.3 The role of parents in the decission making of payment of bride price 10

CHAPTER THREE 12 METHODOLOGy 12 3.0 INTRODUCTION 12 3.1 Research Design 12

3.2 Population of Study 12

3.3 Study Area 12

3.4 Sampling Strategy 13

3.5 Sample Selection 13

3.6 Sources of data 13

3.7 Data Collection Instruments 13

3.8 Data collection methods 13

3.8.1 Questionnaires 14

3.8.2 Interview 14

3.8.3 Data Analysis 14

3.8.4 Data Interpretation Techniques 14

3.9 Ethical Considerations 14

CHAPTER FOUR 16 DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS 16 4.0 INTRODUCTION 16 4.1 Social demographic characteristics 16

4.1.1 Age of the respondents 16

4.1.2 Gender of the respondents 17

4.1.3 Marital status of the respondents 17

viii 4.1.5 Awareness of Bride Price . 19

4.1.6 Necessity to pay Bride Price 20

4.1.7: How Bride price ahould be paid 21

4.1.8 Impacts of payment of Bride Price 22

4.1.9 Avoidance of Negative Impacts of Bride Price 25

4.1.10 The effect of payment of Bride price on settled marriages 26

4.1.11 Whether Parents play a role in decission making 27

4.1.12. Roles played by parents in the Decission making process 27

4.1.13 whether Parent’s decissions impact on payment of bride price 28

4.1.14 Poisitive impacts of Parent’s decissions 29

4.1.15 Recommendations 32

4.2 Discussion of the findings 33

CHAPTER FIVE 36 SUMMARY OF STUDY FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY 36 5.0 INTRODUCTION .36 5.1 Summary 36

5.2 Conclusion 37

5.3 Recommendations 37

5.4 Areas for further study 39

Refernces 40

APPENDICES 42

APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE 42

ix ABSTRACT This research study analyzed the Impact of Payment of Bride Price to the Process of Traditional Marriage in Iganga District; with the objectives being to examine the imapact of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriage in Iganga District, the impact of payment of bride price on seffled marriages in Iganga District and the role played by parents in the decission making process of payment of bride price in Iganga District. It also assesses the positive and negative impact of payment of bride price, and further discusses the positive and negative impacts of parent’s decissions in payment of bride price.

The researcher found out from the research that respondents in Iganga District had both positive and negative impacts associated with payment of bride price such as domestic violence, abuse of women, and contempt for culture which in turn affects traditional marriages in Iganga District. This was analysed in the first and second objective of the research and answers were realised from research findings that people in Iganga District had both positive and negative impacts associated with payment of bride price. However, a majority stated that awareness and sensitization would be crucial to protect the dignity of women.

The last objective was to examine the role played by parents in the decission making process of the payment of bride price. A majority of the respondents agreed that in deed parents have a role to play in decission making as far as cementing the two families is concerned, but also contented that they have to avoid asking exhorbitant prices in order to avoid scarying away young couples. However, they all agreed that payment of bride is traditional and identifies one’s belonging. Doing away with it would be detrimental to cultural heritage.

x CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION This chapter constitutes the background of the study where the problem is looked at, at a wider perspective, Statement of the problem, purpose of the study, Research questions and Significance of the study that states the benefits of the study.

1.1 Background of the study This research is on the impact of bride price on marriage, a case study on Iganaga Distrrict, Busoga sub-region in Eastern Uganda. It will seek to find out the impact or effect that payment of bride price has occasioned on the process of marriage today, not excepting its importance. It will further anaylse the response that many young intending couples have on bride price.

The busoga region is basically occupied by the Basoga, ethnically a Bantu tribe that lives in the south eastern part of Uganda, between Lake Kyoga and the northern shores of Lake Victoria, known locally as “Nalubaale.” Politically, the busoga region is made up of Jinja, karnuli, Iganga, Bugiri and Mayuge districts (Joseph Butire, Traditional marraiages in Uganda: Okuzaaliibwa Mukama in Busoga, 2007). Thus, this researh will focus on Iga~~ga district.

‘Bride price’ is the gifts in money or kind given as a token of appreciation by grooms to the families of their brides, Paul & Joy (2004) as cited by Wilson, Pes (2005). Although it is sometimes seen as compensatory payment to the natal family for the upbringing of the daughter, it varies in form and meaning across cultures. In some, the ‘bride-price’ may become the property of the bride, and is treated as an insurance against divorce. (Awake June, 2010 as cited by Lukabwe Frank: Bride Price and Spouse Interaction Rubanda County Kabale District, 2011).

Bride price, also known as bride wealth, is an amount of money or property or wealth paid by the groom or his family to the parents of a woman upon the marriage of their daughter to the groom MUFIMI (2004).

1 Bride-price or bride wealth, used to validate customary marriages, is a common practice in many African countries. Typically, bride-price consists of a contract where material items (often cattle or other animals) or money are paid by the groom to the bride’s family in exchange for the bride, her labour and her capacity to produce children (Oguli Oumo, 2004).

Increasingly, in urban areas, the practice is changing, so that money and goods (rather than animals) are more commonly given in the form of non-refundable gifts. However, in rural communities (though varying by ethnic/tribal group, tradition and culture), more traditional bride-price practices remain extremely common and tend to be accepted as the cultural norm. (Gill Hague Dr. Ravi Thiara, Bride-Price, Poverty and Domestic Violence in Uganda, 200~9)

Today, the institution of bride wealth has infiltrated many different forms of marriages in Uganda e.g. Civil, Christian, Hindu and Islamic marriages. In fact, the institution of bride wealth is so “deeply entrenched in Ugandan society that in practice, even a civil marriage will not be regarded as valid by all concerned parties unless it has been preceded by bride wealth. The nature and amount of bridal wealth levied varies among the different tribes. In Buganda, the largest tribe in Uganda, it is local brew (banana wine), kanzus and gomesi (traditional dress) including a variety of other items like meat, vegetables, bananas, paraffin etc. In Bugisu, it is two heads of cattle and optionally, goats. Among the Japadhola it is 5 cows, 5 goats and a sheep (Businge, 2007), while among the Basoga, heads of cattle and local beer are offered besides other gifts to the parents and relatives of the girl to be given out.

Historically bride price has for long been an important part of marriage rites and ceremonies in African Culture. Many people including men and women across all ages believe that bride price payment is an indication that those who pay it are more likely to sustain the marital relationship. Society perceives men who can afford a high bride price as being serious and eligible marital partners in marriage (MIFUMI 2005)

Unlike in the past, payment of bride price today has come with a lot of controversy and resentment among the youth and intending couples due to the desired obligations imposed upon the man intending to marry.

2 1.2 Statement of the Problem Just like female genital mutilation, bride price deminishes a woman or man. It makes his/her property of her/his father to be sold to another man or woman. She or he then becomes a servant of the buyer, bearing children, providing sex and performing household chores. In relation to the above statements, many women and men worldwide have been heard lamenting about brideprice and its conditions which presents them to slavery or harsh domestic situations. Kaye, Dan K. (2005)

The problem found with the three variables are ; paying bride price is often very exorbitant creating an impression that the woman has been literally bought, this undermines marriages and at the end of the day marriage stability is on the threshold.(Lukabwe Frank, 201 1). Bride price is largely a contributing factor to domestic violence and issues that have moved from the margins into the mainstream even among the elite class. Domestic violence is a social evil and many women educated or illiterate, urban or rural dwellers are faced with this plight. Harold (2006).

Men take the liberty in abusing their women even battering them because they paid bride price. The women are reduced to property and because they are owned they are then subjected to all sorts of subjugation, relegation and abuse Gotlib, (2009). Today, marriage stability is also at stake given the traditional process of payment of bride price. The treating of women like property ignites despisement by the man, and thus, this leads to violence where there’s a slight misundertanding. On the contrary when there is no bride price payment then men and women will be equals in the relationship hence healthy interaction of the spouses and ultimately stable marriages are expected. Another problem arising is that parents to intending couples often take part in making decissions as to the payment of bride price in terms of “how much” is to be paid. However, their decission affects the outcome of the entire marriage as usually a heavy token turns the woman into actual property purchased for a purpose rather than a marriage union.

1.3. Objectives of the study

1.3.1 General objective The general objective of the study is to examine the impact of payment of bride price on traditional marriages in Iganga District, Busoga sub-region in South Eastern Uganda.

3 1.3.2 The Specific objectives of study are: i) To examine the impact of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriages in Iganga District.

ii) To assess the effect of payment of bride price on settled marriages in Iganga District.

iii) To assess the role of parents in the decission making process of payment of bride price in Iganga District.

1.4 Research Questions 1. What is the impact of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriages in Iganga District? 2. What is the effect of payment of bride price on existing marriages in Iganga District? 3. What is the role of parents in the decision making process of paymangt of bride price in Iganga District? 1.5 Scope of the study 1.5.1 Geographical scope The study will be carried out in Iganga District in Busoga region in South Eastern Uganda.

1.5.2 Content scope The study will be limited to identifying bride price as practised in Iganga District, identify the impacts of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriages in Iganga District and its effect on settled marriages. It will also further examine the role of parents in the decission making as far as bride price in concerned.

1.5.3 Time scope The study will take place from May to August 2018

1.6 Significance of the study i) To help students as a point of reference for their study purpose. ii) It is to help lecturers as a source of information and reference to those who seek information based on the same topic. iii) The research will help to inform, address and fill the loophole in most cultural pracitces as far as payment of bride price is concerned.

4 1.7 Conceptual Framework The conceptual below presents the key study themes and sumrnarises how key elements of Bride Price affect Traditional Marriages in Iganga Distruct. In this research, the independent variable is Bride Price, and the dependant variable is Traditional Marriage. If parents’ ask for too much or demand exhorbitant prices, there will be many couples avoiding marriages, and those marriages that are settled often realise domestic violence and abuse since women are looked at as mere objects.

5 Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependant varaiable

Bride Price Traditional Marriages Exhorbitant bride price Appreciation to parents Abuse and domestic violence Intention to marry Cultural contempt L~ Sustainance of culture Couples avoid marriage

Intervening Variables

Positive parent decissions

Protection of women Rights

Sentisation on girl child rights

Source: Primary Data May 2018

6 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 INTRODUCTION This chapter presents review of the literature on the impact of Payment of bride price on marriages~ The presentation follows the order of the objectives, which are; to examine the impact of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriages, to anaylse the effect of payment of bride price to existing marriages and to assess the role of parents in the decission making process of payment of bride price.

2.1 The impact of payment of Bride Price to the process of traditional marriage Little is written on the impact of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriages today. However, according to Father Deo Eriot at the International Conference on Bride Price and Development, Makere:e University 2017, The African bride is between a rock and a hard place. The cultural system disenfranchises and denudes her of her basic freedoms as provided for under the 1948 Declarations of Universal Human Rights. Because of bride price parents are keen to ‘arrange’ a marriage for their daughter. In effect, an arranged marriage may not be in the interest of love, but money. It is again money which is not given to the bride but the parents. On the other hand, settlement of bride price in fact transfers the rights of the bride over her own destiny into the hands of her husband who has paid for her. Henceforth, the husband has all the authority over her. For these reasons many African brides end up in abusive marital relations.

2.2 The impact of Payment of Bride Price to existing Marriages

2.2.1 Bride Price and interaction of spouces According to Kabejja (2009) although it is described as a gifi, compensation as well as payment, bride price still remains a contentious issue in our society. She argues that irrespective of how it is practiced, the aspect that it is some kind of payment stipulates that on traditional marriage, a woman is bought. This she believes is the source of a lot of debate in society. Bride price is such a controversial issue today that a petition was filed seeking court to declare the practice unconstitutional. Examples of the negative aspects of bride price among others vary from denial of education to the girl by the parents in a bid to extract wealth from her and promoting early marriages.

7 Kaye (2005) revealed that bride price as a gender issue affects the broad context of people’s lives as it influences what roles are considered appropriate for family members. The perception that the woman was paid for reduces the power and her prestige. To some people, where bride price payment is made by, it is perceived that woman belongs to him. Consequently, household decision-making power is manifested; in the man hence gender inequality.

2.2.2 Bride Price and Abuse of Women Rights The Universal Declaration of Rights states that “[women] are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. The institution of bride price denies women equality throughout a marriage, and is therefore in violation of both international and domestic law. The practice of bride price is facially discriminatory towards women. A man can marry anyone he likes, and need not ask his parents for permission. A woman must ask her father’s permission, since he sets the bride price and has the power to make it too exorbitant for the suitor to afford. A man is not sold for a price set by his parents without his permission, as are women. A man can leave the marriage without anyone else’s permission. A woman must obtain her father’s permission, for in order to be divorced, the bride price paid by the husband to her father must be returned. As Uganda noted in its report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, “The bride price is fixed by only male members of the family/clan” (Wakabi, 2000).

MUFIMI (2004) reported that the issue of bride price and women’s rights has been debated in Uganda mainly in the academic forum. It was revealed that in 1960, a national conference on women’s rights discussed the issue of bride price and its conclusions, contained in the Kalema report, were that bride price relegated women to “an article of trade, to be bought or sold”.

According to Kaye (2005) payment of bride price creates divorce restrictions and it is perceived by many women to be a source of suffering in homes. Kaye states that fear of stigma, social vulnerability and lack of financial independence may keep women in such unhappy relationships. He describes a complex process of coping with violence occurrinp in 4 stages. In the binding stage, there is rationalization or denial, where women focus on the positive aspects of the relationship. In the enduring stage, there is shift in perception: cover

8 up, self blame and behavior modification. In the disengagement stage, there is help seeking, while the recovery stage is marked by leaving. Gender inequality maintains the entrapment and complex coping process.

2.2.3 Bride Price and Domestic Violence According to Wakabi (2000) women especially in rural Uganda are subjected to degrading and dehumanizing acts because of bride price. He revealed that reports received from groups working with women on violence and abuse highlighted the fact that bride price is a major contributing factor to violence and abuse in the homes. What virtues the institution of bride wealth carried in the past, have been lost in the present. He argues that rather than cementing the relationship between the families concerned, and providing stability to the marriage, the customary payment of bride wealth now gives the husband proprietary rights over his wife, allowing him to treat her more or less like a chattel. This is especially so because it equates a woman s status in marriage with the amount of bride wealth exchanged and not with her skills and abilities.

Kasita Joel (2004) reported that bride price is a cause violence and trouble in marriage. She revealed that apart from physical assaults, husbands do all sorts of humiliating things to their wives. Men can be so violent to the extent that he would find a women preparing food, just remove it from the fire and power it because he paid bride price. Sometimes men bring their girl friends to the home at night. Several times a man can bring other women for purposes of marriage on top of the wife at home.

As revealed by MIFUMI (2003) the practice of bride price which requires that the cows be refunded if a marriage breaks down, oflen ties women to abusive relationships. This is because the girl’s parents and other family members cannot afford to refund items received from the man’s kin family. The practice also reduces women and girls to the status of chattel or property and leaves them open to Domestic Violence and abuse with far reaching social, economic and human rights implications.

Habati (2009) revealed that many cultures in Uganda subject women to all sorts of mistreatment due to bride price.

9 He cites the case of a chilling story of Nathan Awoloi, a hunter from Palisa district in eastern Uganda who allegedly forced his wife, Jennifer Alupot, to breastfeed puppies. Apparently, Awoloi claimed he had paid his two cows which were previously giving him milk to feed his puppies as bride price to his wife’s family. He reasoned that the bride should breastfeed his dogs since the cows were no more. The bizarre incident has since led women activist~s to claim that the practice of bride price has dehumanised, enslaved and trapped women in the hands of men.

According to Businge (2007) many couples rooting from in eastern Uganda experience day to misunderstandings in their homes. The practice of paying bride price in a way leads to violence and denunciation that many women face. He says that many men who habitually beat up their wives cite the fact that they paid bride price for the women as proof that they can do as they wish with them. For instance, many women from the Teso region and neighboring tribes suffer a lot of violence from their husbands and live in sour marriages because they are required to refund the bride price should they opt to divorce their husbands. He argues that a woman does not demand for the bride price or even receive, yet she is supposed to refund it if the marriage fails.

Some women spend up to ten years toiling, sometimes in appalling conditions, to pay back bride their price. There are many women from Teso in Kampala living in slums like Kisenyi, brewing malwa and other local gins to raise money to pay back their bride price after failed marriages.

2.3 The role of parents in the decission making of payment of bride price. Businge (2007) revealed that because women in Africa are generally perceived to be weak and powerless, many Africans believe that it is only through the payment of bride price to their parents that women can be made valuable. He says that many Ugandans are of the view that the culture of bride price payment has become extremely commercialized, with parents looking at their daughters as monetary rçserves. Some parents choose to marry off daughters as young as fourteen or demand as high a price as they can, either in terms of heads of livestock or money.

Wilson (2005) revealed that culturally, some societies perceive women as a utility asset to undertake all household chores.

10 Girls are a source of instant wealth, therefore, are retained at home for bride price. He asserts that research confirms that parents value most of their young girls like gold, coffee and other commodities to be traded at the immediate market value.

Women are used as the medium to achieve human prosperity. They facilitate for the channeling of wealth like pigs, shell money, pearls, food, modem money and other goods from one person or tribe to another. Poor families with many girls have the fate of becoming rich one day from the wealth that the girl would acquire through bride price payment. Thus, girls are reserved for marriage by their siblings. Some parents even question the females’ intellectual capabilities and say they will not perform as well as the male students. They say that males are naturally intelligent an~i can solicit solutions for academic problems quite easily than females. In the cultural arena, opinions and advice from women are not entertained by men in all forms of decision making. All decisions are based entirely on the men’s instincts as to what they think is right MIFUMI (2003).

11 CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY

3.0 INTRODUCTION This chapter presents and describes the methods and techniques the researcher employed in the study. These are; the research design, population of study, area of study, sampling techniques, sample selection, data collection instruments, data collection methods, data collection procedures, data analysis, and ethical considerations.

3.1 Research Design The research will employ a descriptive case study design. This design “describes an in-depth characteristic of one or a limited number of cases” (Varkevisser, Pathmanathan & Brownlee, 1991, p.121).

The study will adopt a cross-sectional survey design and utilized quantitative technique of research. It’s Cross-sectional because the research will observe many subjects (individual respondent), and compare differences in views at the same time. The quantitative technique will be administered to enable collaboration and triangulation of field data. The quantitative research is essential to quantify data and ensure more accuracy.

The researcher aims to assess the impact of payment of bride price towards traditional and existing marriages, the negative attitudes respondants have towards bride price, find the various ways in which bride price leads to instability in marriages. It also aims to suggest possible measures of reducing the negative attitudes regarding bride price.

3.2 Population of Study

The study is targeting men and women aged between 18 — 50 years in Iganga district. These are; the married and single respondents who are contemplating getting into marriage.

3.3 Study Area The study will be carried out in Iganga District. The main languages in the district are Lusoga and Luganda, although other languages such as Swahili and English are used, and this is because majority of the people living in the area are Basoga.

12 3.4 Sampling Strategy The researcher will apply stratified random sampling strategy in the process of collecting data. This is a modification of random sampling in which you divide the sample population into two or more relevant and significant strata based on one or a number of attributes. Among the attributes the researcher is to use is gender, age, experience and level of education.

3.5 Sample Selection A population sample size will be of 50 respondents selected from Iganga District. It will include men and women directly involved with family matters. The sample will involve married men and women, single parents, divorced men and women, local, and religious leaders. The main reason why the researcher chose the above sample is to get varying views and contributions from the various stakeholders in the field of marriage and family matters. This is essential for purposes of obtaining a comprehensive and representative out come from the area of study.

3.6 Sources of data The researcher used basically two sources of data to write this dissertation, the primary and secondary sources of data. This allows the researcher to control information provided by respondents rather than depending on questions and information asked by another party which could be with diverse intention. Data will also be gathered using questionnaires and by means of interviews.

3.7 Data Collection Instruments The researcher will use a questionnaire as a tool of data collection in this research. This research is quantitative and therefore the researcher will use a questionnaire to get infonnation from the respondents.

3.8 Data collection methods A research assistant will be employed to assist the researcher in the collection of data, reviewing documents such as books, journals and reports. Completing questionnaires and personal interviewing will be carried out and observations will be done to compliment the other methods of data collection.

13 3.8.1 Questionnaires Data will be collected with the help of one general selfadministered questionnaires and 50 respondents will be assigned the task of answering them. The questionnaire will be comprised of both structured and unstructured questions with open responses. The structured questions with fixed responses will help the researcher to confirm with specific known facts about the topic of study. On the other hand, the unstructured questions with open responses will be essential in seeking for various views regarding the topic of study.

3.8.2 Interview The interview process will involve the researcher who will cordinate the process of the conversation and will ask questions, while the intervewee will respond to those questions. The interview is quite flexible, adaptable and can be used for many people. Detailed information can also be obtained and well explained.

3.8.3 Data Analysis The researcher will use a research dairy, note book and a recorder to obtain all data given by respondents. The recording will also be done depnding on the place, date and time respectively. After collection of data, coding will be done under every objective making sure that repetitions are avoided. Data will be analysed critically and a thorough check will be made to ensure that respondents will have right to confidentiality and be satisfied that the data is purely for academic research purpose.

3.8.4 Data Interpretation Techniques The data obtained from the field will be entered in a computer and will be analyzed. The interpretation of the data will be done by the researcher to come up with different comparison and a discussion about the findings of the research study.

3.9 Ethical Considerations The researcher will seek respectfrilly the consent of respondents and they will be assured of their confidentiality by virtue of a consent letter. This is to eliminate suspicion on the side of the respondent as being a spy or any kind of misrepresenter. Permission to carry out research will be got from local authorities at all levels. This will help to solicit humble corporation from the respondents. Interacting with respondents will also be done with humility while

14 introducing the purpose of the research and the objectives of the interview. Anonymity of the participants will also be paramount by using codes and initials. This will be communicated to the respondants immediately in order to obtain genuine responses.

15 CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.0 INTRODUCTION The results in the research below indicate the findings that were generated after research was carried out, edited and entered in data format. The research presentation in this chapter was guided by the following objectives; To examine the impact of bride price to the process of traditional marriage today, to analyse the impact of payment of bride price to existing marriages, and to examine the role of parents played in the decision making process of payment of bride price, to analyse the negative attitude towards bride price, and identify possible measures to avoid abuse that comes after the process of payment of bride price in marriage.

4.1 Social demographic characteristics 4.1.1 Age of the respondents The respondents were asked questions related to their age and the results are showed in the table below,

Table 1: Showing age of the respondents

~ge ~Frequency percentage Valid Cumulative eprcentage percentage

Valid 18-25 10 20 20 20

26-30 15 30 30 50

31-35 10 20 20 70

36-40 10 20 20 90

~1+ 05 10 10 100

Eotal 50 100 100

Source Primary data May 2018

From table 1 above, all respondents were of mature age, from.18-25(20%), 26- 30(30%), and 31-35(20%), 36-40(20%) and 41+ (lO%(. The table below presents this information

16 succinctly. The study showed that all respondents were mature enough, knew and understood bride price and traditional marriage and thus could reasonably talk about it objectively.

4.1.2 Gender of the respondents The respondents were asked to indicate their gender specification and their reponse was as follows;

Table 2: showhig gender of the respondents

R~espondents ?requency Percentage Valid percentage Cumualative

percentage

Valid S/Tale ‘?5 50 50 50

~emale 25 50 50 100

Fotal 50 100 100

Source: Primary data 2018

The table 2 above shows that the research realised a frequency 25 Males and 25 females, represented a percentage of 50% each. This shows that the respondents were balanced and views were represented equally.

4.1.3 Marital status of the respondents The respondents were asked to indicate their marriage status, and the table below shows their response;

17 Table 3: Showing marital status of the respondents

Status ~‘requency Percentage Valid percentage Cumulative

percentage

Valid vlarried 25 50 50 50

Single 15 30 30 80

)ivorced 10 20 20 100

[‘otal 50 100 100

Source: Primary data 2018

The table above illustrates that 50% of the respondents were married, 30% were single and 20% were divorced. Given the majority of respondents in marriage, it means that a majority of the respondents had experience in marriage and were therefore proper respondents for the research. Those that were single and divorced were also able to propound forward their views as far as marriage and bride price were concerned. The differences in the marriage status enables the researcher to have a wide range of views as far as the research is concerned.

4.1.4 Education levels of the respondents The respondents were asked to indicate their levels of education and the following were the distinctive responses;

18 Figure 2: A pie chart showing Educations levels of respondents

Education Levels of the Respondents

~a Uneducated ~ Secondary III ~Primary

Source: primary data May 2018

Figure 2 above demonstrates the Education levels of the respondents. The research realis~d a frequency of 20 respondents and a percentage of 40% for uneducated respondents, a frequency of 10 and 20% for secondary level, a frequency of 15 and 30% for University level and a frequency of 5 and 10% for the primary level. From the above, it shows that a majority were uneducated, although the second highest numbers were educated at University level. The variant education levels illustrated here contributed to diverse range of views that facilitated the research

4.1.5 Awareness of Bride Price The resondents were asked to state if they were aware of the phrase “Bride Price”, and if practised in their area and their response was illustrated below;

19 Table 4: Showing awareness of Bride Price

Reponse Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Cumulative

percentage

Valid Yes 50 100 100 100

N~o 00 00 00 100

I’otal 50 100 100

Source: Primary data May 2018

The table 4 above demontrates that all respondents were familiar about bride price. This is showed by a percentage of 100%. This was an indication that the respondents were knowledgable about the research topic and thus gave their ipinions from an experience perspective.

4.1.6 Necessity to pay Bride Price The respodents were asked to state wether payment of bride price was necessary. The following table illustrates the results of their responses;

Table 5: Showing response to necessity to pay pride price

Response Frequency Percentage Valid Percentage Cumulative

percentage

Valid ~es 35 70 70 70

~o 10 20 20 90

sTot sure 05 10 10 100

fotal 50 100 100

Source: Primary data May 2018

From the table 5 above, a frequency of 35 respondents were positive about payment of bride price being a neccesity. This was represented by 70%. Those that opposed were 20%, and others that were minority were represented by 10%. This therefore shows that a majority of respondents were okay with payment of bride price being a necessity.

20 4.1.7: How Bride price ahould be paid The respondents were asked to give an opinion as to how payment of bride price should be done. The views given by the respondents are represented in the table below, and illustrates as follow;

Table 6: Showing how Bride price should be paid

Response Frequency Percentage Valid Percentage Cumulative

, ~ercentage

Valid

Giving gifts to2O ~0 10 1.0 )arents as a token

Spouses agreein~ 15 30 30 70 on what to give

It should be ii 05 10 10 80 form of Money

It should be giver 10 20 20 100 in form o: animals; Cows,goats anc sheep

FOTAL 50 100 100

Source: priamry data May 2018

The table above shows that a majority of the respondents prefered any other ordinary gift(40%), others stated that couples ahould be given priority to discuss and conclude how it should be done (30%), other respondents prefered money(l 0%) while some stated animals (20%). However, its clear from the above representation that many respondents prefered ordinary gifts of choice be used to pay bride price other than just animals.

21 4.1.8 Impacts of payment of Bride Price The respondents in the quetionnaire were asked to indicate positive and negative impacts of payment of bride price towards the process of marriage. The following table shows that results as indicated;

Table 7: Showing positive impacts of payment of bride price

Positive Impacts 0: Frequency Percentage Valid Cumulative Bride Price percentage Percentage

Valid It’s a sign OD 10 20 20 20 appreciation o the girl’s arents

It shows one’s05 10 10 30 intention to narry

It’s a sign 0: 02 04 04 34 noral consciousness 0 sexuality since it avoids sex befor

halT age

It’s a sign o:08 16 16 50 espect and ionour to the )arents of th~ girl

3ride price isO3 06 06 56

an opportunity to

22 obtain wealth

shows 02 04 60 espect to thc voman

~ayment o ~0 I~0 ~0 100 3ride pric~ sustains anc ecognises culture

[‘OTAL 50 100 100

Source: Primary Data May 2018

Table 7 above illustrated the positive impacts of payment of bride price towards marriage as follows; it’s a sign of appreciation to the girl’s parents(20%), it shows one’s intention to marry (10%), it’s a sign of moral consciousness to sexuality(04%), It shows one’s respect to the parents of the girl(16%), its an opportunity to obtain a little wealth(6%), its also a sign of respect to one’s wife(04%) and it sustains culture(40%).

The above illustration shows that a majority respondents stated payment of bride price being one that culture. This is represented by a frequency of 20 and a percentage of 40%, while the second majority viewed bride price as a way of showing appreciation to the parents of the girl, bring represented by a frequency of 10 and percentage of 20%.

23 Table 8: Showing Negative Impacts of Payment of Bride Price

The table shows the negative impacts of payment of bride price as illustrated;

Response E~’requency Percentage Valid Cumulative

Percentage percentage

Valid It exposes 15 10 10 30 women to abuse, and violence since the) educed into )ought objects

~arents vie~ 10 20 ~0 50 girls as objects o: immersing vealth and nay forc~ early ~arriages

?ayment 0: 25 50 50 100 )rlde Brice is ecnomically inconviencin~ o Men

Total 50 100 100

Source: Primary Data 2018

The table above shows that payment of bride price is economically inconveniencing to the men (50%), It exposes women to abuse(30%). This is because they are reduced to be objects of sale to be bargained for. Attaching a price to them too, underlooks them as commodities.

24 The other impact is that women are at risk of being used as intruments of immersing wealth (20%). This is because parents will consider marrying off their daughters even when they are

not ready, so long as money will be given to them. V

4.1.9 Avoidance of Negative Impacts of Bride Price The respondents were asked to mention how the negative impacts of bride price can be reduced. The following shows the response made by the respondents;

Table 9: Showing Ways of avoidance of negative Impacts of Bride price

Response Frequency Percentage Valid Percentage Cumulative

Percentage Valid Sesitizatior 25 50 50 50 of massess and parents on womei ight Girl chik 08 16 16 66 education to preven early narriages fightening 10 20 20 86

~aws 01 )rotection of Youn~ girls against early narriages and abus~ )f women Others 07 14 14 100 [otal 50 100 100 Source: Primary data May 2018

25 The respondents gave their views on how to avoid the negative impacts of payment of bride price in the following; Sensitisation on women rights(50%), tightening laws dealing with abuse of women(20%), girl child education(1 6%), while others with minority views were 14%.

4.1.10 The effect of payment of Bride price on settled marriages The respondents were asked to state the effect of Bride price on already settles marriages, and the response is showed in the table below;

Table 10: Showing the effect of bride price on settled marriages

~.esponse Frequency Percentage Valid Percentage Cumulative

Percentage

Valid There’s 20 ~0 domestic violence

fhere’s 15 30 30 70 abuse of women ~ghts

lJomen 10 20 20 90 iave been ~educed nto labour objects

Others 05 10 10 100

FOTAL 50 100

Source: Primary Data May 2018

Table 12 above shows respondents views as follows; Domestic violence (40%), abuse of women rights (3 0%), women reduced to labour objects (20%), while a minority others whose

26 views arent represented above are represented by 10%. From the above presesntation, a majority of the views stated that payment of bride price leads to much domestic violence.

4.1.11 Whether Parents play a role in decission making The respondents were asked to indicate whether the parents of the couples play a role in the decission making process of payment of bride price. The following table shows their response;

Table 11: Showing whether parents play a role in decission making

Response Frequence Percentage Valid Percentage Cumulative

percentage

Valid ~es 35 70 70 70

~ 10 20 20 90

~ot Sure 05 10 10 100

I’OTAL 50 100 100

Source: Primary Data 2018

The table above shows that a majority of the repondents agreed that parents do have a role to play in the decission making process of payment ofbride price (70%), 20% objected while 10% were not sure.

4.1.12. Roles played by parents in the Decission making process The respondents were asked to indicate the roles played by parents in the decission making process of payment of bride price.

27 Table 12: Showing Roles played by parents in the decission making process of payment of bride price.

Response Frequency Percentage Valid Cumulative Percentage )ercentage

Valid ~void 25 50 50 50 exhorbitant )rlcing

~ct aslS 30 30 80 ~nediators, lot ergainers

Protect 10 20 20 100 daughters from bein~ treated as commodities

TOTAL 50 100 100

Source: Primary data May 2018

From table 12 above, views presented by respondents were as follows; parents should discuss and avoid exhorbitant pricing of bride price (50%), they should act as mediators and not bargainers (3 0%), they should protect daughters from being treated as commodities (20%)

The above results show that parents play a big role of avoiding imposing high prices on bride price which may affect the outcome of marriage.

4.1.13 whether Parent’s decissions impact on payment of bride price The respondents were asked whether decissions made by parents have an impact on payment of bride price, and the table below illustrates their response;

28 Table 13: Showing whether Parent’s decissions impact on payment of bride price

Response Frequency Percentage Valid Percentage Cumulative

percentage

Valid ~Yes ~0 80 80 80

~Jo 06 12 12 92

NJotsureO4 08 08 100

TOTAL 0 100 100

Source: primary Data May 2018

The table above shows that a majority of the respondents agreed with the fact that parental decdissions play a key role in impacting payment of bride price, as it is illustrated by 80%.

4.1.14 Poisitive impacts of Parent’s decissions The respondents were asked to mention some of the positive and negative impacts of parental decissions as far as payment of bride price is concerned. The following tables illustrate their views;

29 Table 14: Showing positive impacts of parent’s decission

Response Frequency Percentage Valid Cumulative Percentage Percentage

Valid Strenthen ties 20 ~O ~0 )etween families th wo familes

Create 10 20 20 60 consciousness of respect fo] vomen

~reserve 15 30 30 90 cultural ieriage and ~norality

Others 05 10 10 100

FOTAL 50 100 100

Source: Primary data May 2018

Table 14 above illustrates the positive impacts of parents decession in the payment of bridde price as follows, strengthening ties between the two families (40%), creating consciousness of respect for women (20%), and preserving cultural heritage and morality (3 0%) while a minority others were represented by 10%.

The results above demonstrate that the crucial positive impact of the role of parents in the decission making process of payment of bride price is to cement the ties between the family of the man and that of the woman. The second crucial positive impact entails preservation of cultural values and morality in te society.

30 Table 15: Showing Negative Impacts of Parent’s decission

IRespouse Frequency ‘Percentage Valid percentage Cumulative

Percentage Valid Requesting25 50 50 50

:00 mud rices scaring away couples

I’oo mud 10 20 20 70 ricing am )ergairnng, •educing vomen to objects

Culture isl5 30 30 100 :reated ~vith contempt

fOTAL 50 100 100

Source: Primary data May 2018

Table 15 above shows that requesting for a big price scares away couples (50%), Too much pricing and bargaining reduces women into commodities (20%), and culture will be treated with contempt (30%). This shows that a majority of respondents represented by a frequency of 25 stated that charging exorbitant prices would scare many intending couples and this would in turn affect traditional marriages.

The second effect that was represesnted by a frequency of 15 shows that culture would easily be treated with contempt due to the unfavarouble conditions that it has with regards to marriage.

31 4.1.15 Recommendations The repondents were asked to indicate recommendations in relation to bride price and traditional marriages.

Table 16: Showing Recommendations concerning payment of bride price

~esponse Frequency Percentage Valid Cumulative Percenatge Percentage Valid Parents 05 10 10 10 should b~ sensitized against early marriages [here 10 20 20 30 should b laws regulating ~ride price Couples 15 30 30 60 should ~ave free decissions over brid )rice Ehere ~0 10 10 100 should bc

10 :estrictions on brid ~rice fOTAL 50 100 100 Source: Primary Data May 2018

32 The researcher found out that a majority of the respondents recommended that there should be no restrictions to the payment of bride price as it is represented by a frequency of 20 and a percentage of 40%., they prefered that intending couples be given the rights to decide on bride price (3 0%), other stated that laws be enacted regulating bride price (20%), while some stated that parents should be sensitized against early marriages (10%). This is to prevent the use of girls as objects of immersing wealth.

4.2 Discussion of the fmdings The impact of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriage in Iganga District

The study found out that a majority of the people are not educated (40%). However, there were many who had attained at least secondary (20%) and University (3 0%) level. The level of education has a deep effect on the way people look at things Kabejja, (2009.p.87), since the study was looking at bride price and it’s effect on traditional marriage. The study found out that many people aren’t happy with bride price and it’s effects. However, they are a culturally inclined people and contend that bride price is doctrinal, a practice carried out by their fore fathers Mubatsi (2009.p.256). They are conscious of the impacts of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriage and majorities agree that payment of bride price recognises and sustains the culture of the people in Iganga District (40%). A second majority also stated that payment of bride price shows that one appreciates the girl’s parents for having raised her and granted him the opportunity to know her,

The negative impacts of bride price were also realised in the research. These impacts vary from denial of education to the girl by the parents in a bid to extract wealth from her and promoting early marriages. Girls are a source of instant wealth, therefore, are retained at home for bride price Wilson (2005). He asserts that research confirms that parents value most of their young girls like gold, coffee and other commodities to be traded at the immediate market value.Lukwabe Frank (201 1).

The research also found that payment of bride price is economically inconveniencing (50%), and thus scares away many intending couples. Besides, today it is actually a growing trend to use this practice to show off financial muscle Kabejja (2009). The amount demanded by~ ~he parents affects the outcome of traditional marriages today.

33 The negative impact of payment of bride price is that many women are domestically abused (30%), and are reduced into intruments of home labour (20%). All these arise due to the object attachment given to women due to the pricing of traditional marriages.

From the findings of this study thefore, it is clear that many people attach great value to bride price payment. Many think it is a sign of respect and others say it is a sign of love and commitment from the man. Businge (2007) revealed that because women in Africa are generally perceived to be weak and powerless, many Africans believe that it is only through the payment of bride price to their parents that women can be made valuable or respected which agrees with the research finds, mos respondents said that bride price is a sign of respect for the woman.. The findings agree with (MIFUMI 2009) that bride price is a sign of respect, love and commitment from a man and it can bind the two strongly together but it can also be a cause of much pain and sufferi’~g if not handled in the right way. (Lukwabe, 2011)

Effects of payment of bride price on settled marriages in Iganga District Many marriages have today ended up with instabilities due to the effect of bride price. The study found out that there’s too much domestic violence (40%), abuse of women rights (30%), reduction of women into labour objects (20%) among others. The study found out that bride price comes interlocked with flaws like gender based violence and disrespect of women (MIFUMI, 2009).

While respondents agree that traditioanl marriage is affected by payment bride price, many agree that bride price is a sign of great love respect and reverence; this no doubt will promote spouse interaction. Also other respondents contended that bride price could affect sp~use interaction among the married reason being that the men look at their wives as property they have just bought from the market. As a result, they seize to respect them and look at them with contempt. That explains gender based violence a trend that is prevalent today. (Lukwabe, 2011)

Roles played by parents in the decission making process of payment of bride price

All cultures that have entrenched the practice of bride price have abused its social value, for economic gains or otherwise. The Biblical Laban father of Leah and Rachel, the father in-law of Jacob, abused bride price for cultural reasons. Seven years’ wages is an exorbitant amount

34 to pay for one’s bride. Laban made Jacob work for 14 years to acquire Rachael the woman of his love (Gen. 29). According to Sudheer (internet) ‘dowry’ among the Indians continues to be given and taken. A number of marriage negotiations break down if there is no consensus between the bride’s and the groom’s family. Dowry deaths of the newly married bride are very common in the news.(MIFUMI 2004)

The research study found most parents are expected to play a role of avoiding exhorbitant prices over the bride (50%), and thus act not as mediators for the common good and not bargainers for a commodity (30%). In this way, they protect the women from future abuse as they would be regarded as commodities.

The African bride is between a rock and a hard place. The cultural system disenfranchises and denudes her of her basic freedoms as we know this under the 1948 Declarations of Universal Human Rights. Because of bride price parents are keen to ‘arrange’ a marriage for their daughter. In effect, an arranged marriage may not be in the interest of love, but money. It is again money which is not given to the bride but the parents. On the other hand, settlement of bride price in fact transfers the rights of the bride over her own destiny into the hands of her husband who has paid for her. Henceforth, the husband has all the authority over her. For these reasons many African brides end up in abusive marital relations. In the year 2000, there was a conference of catholic Christians of the eastern part of this country organised by the Archdiocese of Tororo, to address the burden of money and bride price. “The members felt that the issue of bride price affects marriage detrimentally. They suggested that parents should be educated to the fact that their daughters are not articles for sale and that bride price is not essential for marriage. While respecting the tradition of dowry, the church encourages parents to be moderate and view it as a gift, rather than a payment. It should never be an impediment to a valid marriage” (that is;. church marriage). Isn’t this what our Legislators are debating in the Domestic Relations Bill (DRB)? “The DRB stipulates that the giving of marriage gifts or payment of bride price shall no longer be an essential requirement for any marriage under the law. Where gifts have been given, the demand for their return on the breakdcwn of the marriage shall be an offence.” (MIFUMI 2004)

35 CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY OF STUDY FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY

5.0 INTRODUCTION The findings of the study revealed that most respondents think payment of bride price is essential and a cultural norm that shouldn’t be abolished, but rather regulated. However, many also agree that there are many problems associated with the payment of bride price that in effect, affect traditional marriage. 40% of the repondents agree that it is a major cause of violence against women, and this is a negative effect towards traditional marriage. 50% of the respondents also contend that parents should avoid exhorbitant prices in order to protect traditional marriages from being treat& with contempt. Furthermore, it protects women from future abuse since their husbands won’t view them as objects but rather partners to be loved and respected.

5.1 Summary The study was to find out whether bride price has an impact on traditional marriage. From the specific objectives the research set out to analyse the impacts of payment of bride price to the process of traditional marriage, both positive and negative, It’s effect on settled marriages, and the key roles played by parents in the decission making process of payment of bride price, examining whether their decissions come with positive or nnegative impacts.

The researcher found out that there are many positive and negative impacts of paymen~t of bride price to the process of traditional marriage namely; showing appreciation to the girl’s parents, showing one’s intention to marry, it’s a sign of moral consciousness to sexual morality, it’s a sign of respect to parents, it’s an opportunity to immerse wealth, it’s a sign of respect and honour to the woman and it sustains culture.

Furtherinore, there were negative impacts realised by the research which included; abuse of women, women are treated as instruments of achieving wealth by her parents, it’s also economically inconveniencing to the men since it is expensive in today’s society to get married. This in turn has made many youth and intending couples avoid marriage The other objective was to assess the effects of payment of bride price on setttled traditional marriages. The research found out that many marriages have become unstable due to the

36 aspect of bride price. Many marriages have realised domestic violence, abuse of women rights, and women being reduced to being objects of domestic labour.

The researcher also found out that a significant number of respondents tie domestic violence on bride price; men butter their women because they paid for them. They deny them a ch~ince to make any decisions because they are no bodies just goods bought from the market. This trend can deeply affect marriage stability. How the negative attitudes can be abated is through revised procedures of this practice, massive sensitization and having commissions like human rights commissions step in to clearly discourage all sorts of abuse of human rights. Organizations that are geared towards fighting for the rights of women and also fighting gender based violence like MIFUMI should be accorded great support to enable them carry on with their activities as they reduce on the ills of bride price. (Lukabwe Frank, 201 1)

5.2 Conclusion During and after the process of data gathering, analysing and interpretation, the researcher made the following conclusions; the respondents all support bride price as a cultural practice but however, with it’s related negative impacts on traditional marriages, they contend that there must be laws passed regulating payment of bride price, and that it should not be restricted by the parents and gurdians of the girl.

5.3 Recommendations The researcher also came up with the following recommendations;

The government should develop regulations that deal with payment of bride price, to avoid the aspect of women being reduced to being commodities of sale. There should be a legal price limitation that protects the human nature of women so that they are not treated as commodities.

The government should also tighten laws on domestic violence that incriminate individuals found violating the Law. This would help to deter people found of beating their wives and reducing them into objects and not loving them as partners.

The government should also organise and mobilize community outreaches where the community is sensitised on women rights. This initiative would help enlighten the couples and those who are fond of abusing their women. This kind of knowledge delivered to the

37 people will help reduce and prevent instances of domestic violence. Government should strengthen literacy programs like functional adult literacy (FAL) in order to educate the masses about the likely effects of bride price both positive and negative and to encourage people carry out the practice in relation to the original cultural roles as it’s much exaggerated today. People should stop being greedy on material things, most parents because of greed ask a lot in exchange of their daughters. This is not good has it labels the practice a material event other than a cultural event. The word price on the word Brice price should be changed to bride gift to mean a token of appreciation. Price renders monitory and buying that is the reason why men abuse their women because they literally bought them. This spells the great need of changing this word “price” to gift or token. (Lukwabe, 2011)

The rights of woman such as equality are constitutional and therefore the state as a d~ity bearer for granting this right should emerge with a policy that will curtail the negative effects associated with the practice of paying bride price. NGOS like MIFUMI that have taken a lead in addressing the issue of domestic violence and also fighting the implications of paying bride price should be give more support and a platform more conducive to further this splendid cause (thid)

There should be dialogue between government officials, legislators and the MIFUMI who have showed elaborate and grim vitality in fighting this debacle on how best they can work together to promote this great work. There is a way this can be done, let it be sought rand avenues drawn ,support in all aspects accorded and ultimately this sad disease called domestic violence that is taking root in our men will be kicked out with a force. The human rights commission should also take to the front in fighting domestic violence. This is a body mandated by the constitution to grant and fight all sorts of human rights abuse as succinctly stipulated in the constitution of Uganda. They are the duty bearers, domestic violence causes pain, suffering, undermines the right of speech, its torture and also abuses equality among other human rights. This simpiy means that the human rights can ably work with the MIFUMI and other women rights bodies without conflicting interests to further the great work of fighting subjugation and relegation of women in Uganda. (Ibid)

38 5.4 Areas for further study o Bride Price and It’s influence on Divorce

o The relevance of Payment of Bride price in the modern society

o Bride Price and marriage stability in the modern society

39 REFERNCES Awake June (2010) Bride Price, Divorce, and the African Tradition.

Businge, Gerald (2007). The Culture of Bride Price has been commercialized. Retrieved from, https://www.ugpulse.com/articles/dajly/Herjtageasp?JD=752

Delhi. Amin, Martin B. (2005). Social Science Research: Conception, Methodology and analysis. Makerere University, Kampala.

Dennis Rainey (2005) the step family Bethany house New York

Dr. Harold. L. Arnold. Jr (2004) Remarriage and Blended Families.

Habati, Mubatsi A. (2009). Brides Pay Price of Being Bought. Retrieved from, http://www.independent.co.ug/index.php/socjety/socjety

Kabejja, Rachel (2009). The Good and Bad Effects of Bride

Kaye, Dan K. (2005). Implications of Bride Price on Domestic

Kothari, C. R. (2006). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, 2nd ed. New Age International Ltd, New Delhi.

Marshall, Gordon (1998). Bride Price. Retrieved from, http://www. encyclopedia.coni/doc/1 08 8-brideprice.html

MUFIMI (2004). Why Bride Price. Retrieved from, http://www.feelfreenetwork.org/bp conference/BP conference information doc

Price. Retrieved from, http://www.mifumi.or~/index.php?prgm=news~details&newsno~

Princeton Washington Keith d.renshaw etl (2009) journal of social relationships.caska house Boston Retrieved from, www.mifumi.org/index.php?prgm=pubs.view

40 Scupin, Raymond (2005). Anthropology: A Global Perspective, 5th ed. New Delhi, Prentice- Hall of India.

Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, Lillian (1999). Women’s Violent Crime in Uganda: More Sinned Against than Sinning. Fountain Publishers, Kampala.

UBOS (2005). 2002 Uganda Population and Housing Census: Kabale District Report. UBOS, Kampala.

Violence and Reproductive Health. Retrieved from, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC 1831942/

Wakabi, Kulsum (2000). Bride Price and Domestic Violence.

Watch tower bible and tract society. New York D+C, (2009/

Wilson, Pes (2005). Parents Attitudes towards Girls’ Education. Retrieved from, ~

41 APPENDICES APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRF~

Dear sir/Madam;

I am Kaudha Kevin, a student of Kampala International University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education. I am carrying out an academic research on the topic, “The Impact of payment of bride Price on Traditionar Marriage: A case study on Iganga District~ “as a requirement for the completion of a Bachelor Degree of Arts in Education of Kampala International University, Uganda.

It is my humble request that you help me fill in this questionnaire. All information obtained will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Please spare a few minutes of your valuable time and answer the questions below. Tick in the box and fill in the space provided. Thank you very much for your kind cooporation.

SECTION A: PERSONAL PROFILE

GENDER

Male

Female

42 AGE

18-25 years

26-30 years

31-35 years

3 6-40 years

41+ years

MARITAL STATUS

Married

Single

Divorced

43 EDUCATION BACKGROUND

Uneducated

Primary

Secondary

University

SECTION B

1) Are you aware of bride price?

Yes H

2) If yes, is it practised in this area?

Yes

44 NoL~

3) Do you think it is necessary to pay bride price?

Yes

Not sure

4) If yes, how should it be done?

5) What are the impacts of the payment of bride price?

Positive a) b) c)

Negative a) b) c)

45 6) How should the negative impacts of payment of bride price be avoided?

7) Does Bride Price have any effect on already settled marriages?

Yes

8) If yes, what are the effects of payment of bride price to settled marriages in Iganga District?

ii) iii) iv)

9) Do parents of the couples play a role of decission making in the paymant of bride price?

Yes

46 No

10) If yes, what are the roles played by parents in the decission making of payment of bride price?

11) Do parents’ decisions impact payment of bride price on traditional marriage?

Yes

Nofl

12) If yes, are they positive or negative?

13) If negative, give a reason(s) a) b) c)

14) What recommendations do you give as far as payment of bride price in traditional marriage is concerned?

47 i) ii) iii) iv)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PARTICIPATION