Marriage Traditions in Uganda: Lavish ways of paying bride price come under debate

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Traditionalists in Uganda are concerned about the rising costs of dowries, or bride price. They argue that the marriage settlement is gradually becoming prohibitive, especially for young couples loaded with debt after matrimony. CGTN's Hillary Ayesiga finds out what it takes to marry a Ugandan woman.

A marriage initiation. Spiced up with a local traditional rhythm and custom demands, bride price has to be paid before taking a wife.

LWANGA NYANZI TRADITIONALIST "It depends on what you need from the bottom of your heart, you might decide a cow or someone might tell you I need a bible or Quran according to his wish, that's how it was in Uganda but not herds of cattle as it is in the West or in the north."

In Uganda, the common price is cattle, goats, chicken and some times money depending on the culture of the bride. Critics say bride price has become lavish and unreasonable.

HAMIDA NAMATOVU MARRIAGE COUNSELOR "Some people exaggerate the token, when they pay a visit to the girl's parents they are driving a Benz or a Hammer, some even hire helicopters. And the parents begin to dream big in terms of what should be paid as dowry."

According to Uganda's Women Parliamentary Association, about sixty percent of couples in Uganda are cohabiting. They argue that marriage has been commercialized. A modest traditional marriage ceremony in Uganda now costs between $2,000 and $50,000.

HAMIDA NAMATOVU MARRIAGE COUNSELOR "The problem is young people have combined cultures of different nationalities, that's why the ceremonies are expensive. My advice is that they should separate the cultures according to the norms."

HILLARY AYESIGA KAMPALA, UGANDA "Give away ceremonies in Uganda are a sign of respect for many families. But custodians of this old age tradition say if they are to keep it relevant to all generations, norms like bride price should be guarded against opportunists. HILLARY AYESIGA, CGTN, KAMPALA."