Uganda Court Rules On Bride Price

A wedding in Uganda (Photo: Getty Images)

The Ugandan Supreme Court has just ruled that a "bride price" is not refundable if a couple split up.

BBC reports Women's rights group Mifumu argued that the bride price contributes to domestic violence as a man can beat his wife because he "bought her" and she's his "property".

The case was first filed in 2009, and has been through several courts including the High Court and the Constitutional Court.

Activists welcome Uganda ruling

Women's rights activists in Uganda say they are excited by the Supreme Court's ruling making it unlawful for the man's family to demand a refund of the bride price if a marriage breaks down.

They say it was the most pressing issue, as it usually leads to violence.

Split verdict over bride price

The seven judges of Uganda's Supreme Court were unanimous in their ruling that women should not be compelled to return the bride price when they divorce.
However, the judges were split over the tradition of men paying a bride price at the time of marriage - the court ruled, by a majority, that it was constitutional.