The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has thrown its weight behind the controversial proposal to criminalize cohabitation.

This move, if approved by Parliament, could see couples in such arrangements either serve three years in jail or pay a Shs10 million fine.

The religious body made its stance clear while presenting its views on the Marriage Bill, 2024 before the Joint Committee on Legal and Gender Affairs.

Joseph Serwadda, Co-Chairperson of the Inter-Religious Council of Presidents, argued that while cohabitation should be outlawed, there is also a need to safeguard the rights of individuals involved, especially children and property acquired during such relationships.

“While we push for the criminalization of cohabitation under the Bill, we observe that there is a need to offer adequate protection for the rights of parties, children, and property acquired in cohabitation relationships,” Serwadda noted.

The IRCU proposed that the government draft a separate law specifically addressing the regulation of cohabitation relationships instead of lumping it into the Marriage Bill, 2024.

The Bill, tabled by Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi, seeks to impose stiff penalties on individuals “holding out as though married.”

Under Clause 89, the proposed law defines cohabitation as living together as husband and wife, jointly acquiring or owning property, having children together, or a woman taking on a man’s surname without formalizing the union through legal marriage.

Opendi defended her proposal, stating that criminalizing cohabitation would help address the increasing number of cases where women and children are left vulnerable when such unions break down without legal recognition.

The proposal has sparked intense debate, with some backing it as a way of preserving traditional marriage values, while others argue it infringes on personal freedoms and could unfairly target women in informal unions.

The Marriage Bill, 2024 is still under scrutiny in Parliament, with further discussions expected before it is either passed into law or amended.