Domestic Violence a Threat to Marriage Institution in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Reflection on Some Cases in Rwenzori Region Western Uganda

Abstract

Background : Gender based violence (GBV) is acknowledged worldwide as a violation of Basic Human Rights. Increasing research has highlighted the health burdens, intergenerational effects, and demographic consequences of such violence ( Doss, Meinzen-Dick, Quisumbing, & Theis, 2015 ). The recent data from Uganda National Bureau of statistics 2023 has shown that gender based violence is still on increase in Uganda irrespective of all efforts and interventions put in place to curb the vice. Specific objectives of this study included: to collect the available data and scenarios on Domestic Violence Cases among partners in Rwenzori Region Western Uganda, to establish the effect of domestic violence on the marriage institution, and to document the analytics on the extent of domestic violence within the marriage institution in Uganda. Methods: The study employed exploratory design where secondary data was obtained from the available documents including the 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC), the Rwenzori West Regional office documents, the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development and Knowledge for Change organisation. This secondary data was collated with Primary data collected by use of both questionnaires and interviews. Three questionnaires were used for this study namely: Woman’s Questionnaire, Man’s Questionnaire, and Community Development Officers Questionnaire. Results: Based on the data collected and the results on the cases and scenarios of GBV, Studies have shown Uganda having one of the highest rates of domestic violence in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Common forms include physical abuse , emotional abuse , sexual violence , and economic deprivation. Relating to results on the cases obtained from Rwenzori Region, presented herein, there is growing scholarly and legal evidence that domestic violence in Uganda is often linked to land and property disputes, especially in matrilineal communities where access to and control over land is primarily male-dominated. Legal institutions are often biased against women , and customary courts prioritize male inheritance claims. Conclusion: Domestic violence has deeply undermined the integrity and stability of the marriage institution in Uganda by normalizing abuse, weakening marital bonds, increasing divorce, silencing victims and undermining child welfare.