Members of Parliament have called on the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) to take a firm stance in defending monogamy as the only recognized form of Christian marriage. The debate emerged during a joint committee meeting on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Committee of Gender, Labor, and Social Development as they scrutinized the Marriage Bill, 2024.
The MPs expressed concern over differing interpretations of Christian marriage, particularly from some pastors who argue that polygamy is biblically supported.
Hon. Rosemary Nyakikongoro (NRM, Sheema District Woman MP) cited an interaction with representatives from the World Plumbing Church Ministries, who claim to have over 100 churches nationwide and support polygamy based on biblical references.
“Yesterday we had pastors from World Plumbing Church Ministries. They believe in polygamy, quoting the Bible, citing King David and Solomon, who had multiple wives yet had a close relationship with God. Where are the Christian doctrines stating that a Christian man should marry only one wife?” Nyakikongoro questioned.
She criticized these pastors for what she described as misleading teachings that equate marriage with sexual satisfaction, warning that such interpretations could promote promiscuity rather than uphold Christian values.
Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi, a Workers’ MP, expressed concern over the inconsistencies in Christian teachings regarding marriage. He pointed out that while Muslim marriage laws are clearly defined, Christians appear divided on the issue.
“We have a problem with Christians speaking different languages, especially those in the born-again faith. They are quoting the Bible and interpreting it differently. I am asking, who is the main interpreter of the Bible?” Bakkabulindi asked.
He urged the IRCU to unify their position and reconcile with pastors such as Martin Ssempa and Solomon Male, who have publicly defended polygamous Christian marriages.
Hon. Stephen Bakka, Chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, proposed that Christian marriages be handled in the same way as other religious marriages, such as those practiced by the Bahá'í, Hindu, and Muslim communities.
“Why don’t we say that Christian marriages shall be conducted according to the beliefs, customs, and rites of each denomination? If you marry in the Catholic Church, you will be bound by its doctrines, the same for the Church of Uganda and other faiths, so that we avoid legislating on faith?” Bakka suggested.
In response, Apostle Joseph Serwadda, Co-Chairperson of the IRCU Council of Presidents, assured the MPs that the council would consult extensively with key Christian institutions, including the Church of Uganda, the Catholic Episcopal Council, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Orthodox Church, and various Pentecostal groups.
“I will need to consult with the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Episcopal Council of the Catholic Church, the hierarchy of the Seventh-Day Adventists, the entire scope of the born-again faith, the Orthodox Church, and other groups and affiliates,” Serwadda stated.
He reaffirmed IRCU’s commitment to preserving both Christian and civil marriages in their original form and challenged those advocating for Christian polygamy to provide examples from the New Testament.
The discussion on polygamy within Christian marriages has sparked intense debate among religious leaders and lawmakers, with some arguing for biblical precedent and others advocating for a return to monogamous traditions.
As consultations continue, the Marriage Bill, 2024 is set to shape the future legal framework for marriage in Uganda, with the IRCU expected to play a key role in guiding the nation’s moral and religious direction.
