BILLS SUPPLEMENT No. 14 BILLS SUPPLEMENT 16th October, 2009. to the Uganda Gazette No. 51 Volume CII dated 16th October, 2009. Printed by UPPC, Entebbe by Order of the Government. Bill No. 19 Marriage And Divorce Bill THE MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE BILL, 2009 1. 2. 2009 MEMORANDUM The object of this Bill is to reform and consolidate the law relating to marriage, separation and divorce; to provide for the types of recognized marriages in Uganda, marital rights and duties, recognition of cohabitation in relation to property rights, grounds for breakdown of marriage, rights of parties on dissolution of marriage and for other connected purposes. The Bill is the product of a comprehensive study by the Uganda Law Reform Commission in which all relevant stakeholders were consulted and several seminars and workshops held, and which takes full account of previous similar studies carried out in Uganda including— (a) the Report on the Commission of Inquiry into the Marriage, Divorce and Status of Women (Kalema Report) 1965; (b) the FIDA - U Report on the draft Domestic Relations Bill, 1980; and 3. (c) the Ministry of Women in Development, Culture and Youth Report on the draft 1980 Domestic Relations Bill, 1980 (W.I.D Working paper and Tororo Report) 1993. In the report of the study from which the Bill emanated, the Commission made several recommendations which will result in a law that is fair and achieves social justice, addresses the issues of poverty; protects the human rights of all members of the family; is enforceable and accessible to the Uganda population and is in line with the Constitution and international legal obligations of Uganda.