Photo by Wesley Kipng’enoh
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda since 19 May 2011 Jacob Oulanyah on July 22th filed for divorce in 2015 through M/S Lex Uganda Advocates and Solicitors, reproving his wife Winnie Amoo. This happened just after two years and nine months of their marriage.
On 3rd October, 2016 Justice Alexandria Rugadya Nkonge of the High court Family Division passed her judgment saying there is nothing that could be done to redeem the marriage that has been on the rocks for the last one year.
Justice Nkonge made it clear to the country that Oulanyah’s marriage to Amoo is over, adding that the parties should take separate ways.
This was an answered prayer for the deputy speaker who for close to a year continuously told media that he will go ahead and divorce his wife Winnie whatever the cost.
However, court placed the two children born out of this relationship under the custody of their mother. Oulanyah will have to issue prior notice before visiting the children.
Jacob Oulanyah on Religious Leaders
Jacob pointed out to the Daily Monitor on 30th, September 2015 that none of the religious leaders called him for a meeting, insisting that he did not contact Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, who wed them because “it was not necessary.”
He said that his divorce petition was a result of “permanent breakdown” of his marriage, “Causing him emotional stress” and “denying him conjugal rights.”
Permanent breakdown or not?
Religious leaders and churches have exhibited a great degree of uncertainty preceding this moment, wondering what the effect will be. Is anyone saying something – apparently silence seems to speak out louder?
The decision has been released, though, we can respond with greater clarity that Supreme Court authority is never above God’s authority.
The number of couples seeking divorce is on the rise in Uganda. Statistics obtained from the High Court Family Division show that couples have already called it quits.
Information on a divorced couple might get to a religious leader long after the couple is apart.
Jacob did not find it necessary to contact the Cleric that wed them. Did the parties know they they will certainly get no backup from Church on ending their marriage thus resorting to court?
Is this a challenge to the Church leaders? May, may be not.
Margaret Mutonyi from the office of registrar and inspector of courts recently observed that with the emancipation, Ugandan women have now become empowered to speak out and make decisions for themselves. Even for most men, she says, it is traumatic to continue in a practically nonexistent marriage.
The Bible Say
When joined in Church, it means that one knows what the bible speaks about marriage profoundly.
Since it is God who seals the marriage covenant no one can separate what God has joined together (Matt 19:6); and those who attempt to break this seal go against God.
Divorce is therefore, absolutely prohibited for believers (Mk 10:11-12, Luke 16:18; Matthew 5: 31-32).
Furthermore, a person whose spouse is unfaithful to him/her must stay faithful to his/her spouse just as God is faithful to us even when we reject Him (Hosea 3:1).
