Valentine’s Day festivities stood out distinctively from all previous functions as the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) concretized the marital status of twelve couples by registering them at their (NIRA) offices and at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)as required by law.
Of the twelve couples, three had their union formalized on Friday at Kololo Independence ground by NIRA Executive Director Dr. Rosemary Kisembo who reminded couples that even after going through all the church and other formalities, their marriages must by law be registered.
“As you go out merrymaking today, ask your partners their plans for getting your union known by law” Kisembo advised them.
She pointed out that for couples to enjoy the full benefits coming with marriage, the accompanying custom, fanfare, religious rites and all celebrations and all that, they should formalize the final requirement of registering their marriages which she said goes for only sh35,000.
The three whose marriage was registered at Kololo were Ehud Rafman and Joan Busingye; Stepen Donald Dale Woods and Asiina Mugide, and Mike Ssesanga Jones and Lynette Nakakande.
Kisembo reminded couples that risks involved in unregistered marriages include untrustworthy partners who may go behind their spouses and get into other marriages.
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Clarifying on who qualifies for registration, the Commissioner for Civil Registration at NIRA Vincent Katutsi noted that much as the church solemnizes the marriage, it remains incomplete until the government issues a license under the Marriage Act.
He pointed out that the registration document can be used as a backup when applying for bank loans, finalizing court processes and acquisition of travel visas.
The NIRA ED Kisembo presided over the ceremonies at which couples made the ‘I do’ declarations, exchanged rings and cut cakes amidst cheers from a handful of witnesses present.
