Shock has gripped residents of Buyende town council in Buyende district after two minors were joined in a traditional marriage in a ceremony held at Nakabila Royal shrines this morning.
The groom is a 9 year old P.2 pupil of Buteme Light primary school in Kamuli district while the bride is a 6 year old pupil of Madarasat Muslim primary school in Buyengo Sub County in Jinja district.
Reports indicate that the groom’s parents visited those of the bride in December, 2013 and paid bride price of three cows, 12 goats, 15 chickens and Shillings 3 million.
The groom who studies in the morning performs rituals at the shrine in the afternoon. Their marriage, he says is allegedly a destiny from the gods.
Hajirah Namulondo the boy’s mother says her son spoke at birth and told them to search for his wife. She called upon cultural leaders within Busoga sub region to recognize his son and build for him a palace.
Meanwhile, Alamanzani Gamukiibya the girl’s father also claims that his daughter was chosen by the spirits to marry the boy and they couldn’t object to the wishes of their gods.
Sanon Kiirya, the representative of Budiope chiefdom in Busoga Lukiiko, says they are under pressure from security operatives, who don’t believe that the union between the two is a cultural matter.
Michael Kasadha the Busoga North Police spokesperson says the marriage is illegal as the age of consent in Ugandan laws is 18 years.