The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | It was a busy day at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) offices, and at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) on Valentines Day, as the Register General legally cemented the union of 12 couples.
“On this day of love, ask your spouse if your marriage is registered. Is your marriage known in law? Even if your wedding takes place in church, ensure it is registered with NIRA,” said Rose Mary Kisembo, Executive Director of NIRA after officiating at marriages at Kololo Independence ground on Friday.
Three of the 12 marriages were registered at Kololo. There were Ehud Rafman and Joan Busingye; Stepen Donald Dale Woods and Asiina Mugide, and, Mike Ssesanga Jones and Lynet Nakakande.
“The risk of an unregistered marriage is that a person, if not upright, may participate in another marriage. The second risk, is they might register it…it might not take a year, but many years after you have invested a lot in the marriage,” warned the Register General Kisembo.
Kisembo added that, “Ensure your marriage is registered to enjoy all the benefits that come with it. There is a lot of custom, fanfare, religion and celebration but often the registration of the marriage is forgotten. Registration is only sh35,000”
She stated that that every person who is single, widowed or divorced, aged 18 years and above and is not party to a subsisting marriage, is eligible to contract a civil marriage.
Vincent Katutsi commissioner civil registration NIRA added that “The church blesses the marriage. So it is helping the state by solemnizing the marriage, but must have a license from government according to the marriage act.”
He stressed that document of registration given assists couples when engaging banks, courts and for getting visas for travel abroad.
Kisembo presided over the ceremonies at which the couples exchange vows and rings, and cut caking, amidst great cheer from handful of relatives who made it to the Kololo Independence ground.
On this Valentine’s Day, we chose not only to celebrate and spread love, but legally cement unions of 12 couples
Watch as Registrar General @NIRA_ED presides over today’s moments of joy. pic.twitter.com/WPle8twWvq
— NIRA (@NIRA_Ug) February 14, 2025
We are moving at the speed of love, joy and celebrations.
Seal it! https://t.co/QFSlAiFWMq pic.twitter.com/5fhNXkAXvq— NIRA (@NIRA_Ug) February 14, 2025
