Why Are Young People in Marriage Killing Themselves?
When Money Changes the Equation: A man may struggle with a woman, pay dowry, and build a home—but once he becomes financially secure, he may begin to see her as “a spent old rag.” who ought to be replaced or acquiring another nubile to accentuate the man's ego. Society’s cruel saying goes, “To any woman, a man’s attraction is in his wallet.” With money comes temptation, and many men fail the test of loyalty.
Uganda Today: Why Are Young People in Marriage Killing Themselves?
A Tragic Trend Among Young Couples
In recent years, Uganda has witnessed a disturbing rise in domestic violence, spousal murder, and suicide—especially among young married couples. The question echoing across newsrooms, funeral speeches, and social media timelines is: Why are young people in marriage killing themselves—or each other?
From my observations and research, I’ve come to believe that many young people today are entering marriage for all the wrong reasons: convenience, societal pressure, personal gain, or image maintenance—not love. Some marry just to be seen as “Mrs.” or “Mr.”; others do it for property, parental expectations, or to bear children, while their emotional connections lie elsewhere.
Married on Paper, But Not in Heart
We’ve seen couples who have been introduced to families, wedded in churches, and possess marriage certificates—yet are caught cheating with housemaids, bosses, supervisors, or landlords. Why? Because the marriage was never rooted in emotional connection but in transaction or survival.
For instance, a man might marry a woman from a wealthy family just to secure financial support, or a woman might marry a man simply because he has a house or car. But such arrangements often result in emotional dissatisfaction, resentment, and ultimately violence.
When Love Is Real, Respect Follows
Genuine love inspires mutual respect, patience, and a desire to preserve the relationship. You become mindful of your actions and careful not to hurt your partner. But when love is absent, there is nothing to protect or fight for—only egos and expectations to battle.
Unfortunately, success and change in social status also introduce new fractures.
When Money Changes the Equation
A man may struggle with a woman, pay dowry, and build a home—but once he becomes financially secure, he may begin to see her as “a spent old rag.” who ought to be replaced or acquiring another nubile to accentuate the man’s ego. Society’s cruel saying goes, “To any woman, a man’s attraction is in his wallet.” With money comes temptation, and many men fail the test of loyalty.
Likewise, some women, upon becoming financially independent, start to undermine their husbands. They introduce several housemaids into cramped homes, become dismissive, and gradually lose respect for their partners. Arrogance replaces affection, and love turns into rivalry.
Too much poverty or too much money—both extremes can poison a marriage if love and emotional maturity are missing.
Infidelity: A Deadly Spark
Infidelity is often the turning point from emotional tension to physical violence. Imagine a man who paid bride price discovering his wife in bed with another man—perhaps a man of lower economic class. The betrayal alone can be enough to mentally destabilize someone.
Some men, in their rage, become violent. Some women, in their pain, resort to witchcraft or engage in fatal acts of revenge. These aren’t just soap opera plots. They’re real-life tragedies reported daily on radio, television, and social media.
When the Law Is Silent, Violence Speaks
One of the root causes of this crisis is that the law does not adequately protect the sanctity of marriage. Cheating is not a criminal offense under Uganda’s Penal Code. So, what does the law expect from a person who catches their spouse in an act of betrayal?
Yes, violence is wrong and should not be condoned. But in those moments of emotional turmoil and humiliation, it’s naïve to expect everyone to act rationally—especially when they feel powerless in the eyes of the law.
The Case for Stronger Marriage Laws
If Uganda is serious about ending spousal violence and murder, marriage must be taken more seriously at the legislative level. Parliament should consider codifying laws that:
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Recognize infidelity and emotional abuse as legal grievances.
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Provide fair legal recourse for victims of betrayal.
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Establish emergency support systems and counseling programs for couples in crisis.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development must lead this charge. Marriage is not just a cultural rite—it is a cornerstone of national stability.
Conclusion: Protect Marriage, Protect Lives
We cannot afford to normalize violence as a solution to marital problems. We must work toward a society where marriage is built on love, supported by law, and respected by all. Only then will we start to reverse this heartbreaking trend of marital deaths.
Published by www.ugandatoday.co.ug, your trusted source for news and analysis
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