BY JOACKIM KULE
Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu has emphasized the need for the subjects to maintain their traditional, ancestral norms, values and principles that are meant to guide behavior and differentiate them from other ethnic communities.
Hon. Aganatiya Katya, the Minister for Culture, Heritage, Native Administration and Veteran Affairs sounded the emphasis yesterday while sensitizing the kingdom’s chieftains, clan heads, parish and native chiefs about the policy guidelines on gender and family affairs in Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu at Mpondwe -Lhubiriha Town Council Hall.
Hon. Katya indicated that Obusinga with funding from the International Justice Mission (IJM) had introduced guidelines that the subjects are ought to follow in carrying out all certain rituals and practices including at marriage, burial and other family practices.
He emphasized that the people should stick to the traditional ways in which the ancestors used to handle most of the issues especially during funeral rites.
The Culture Minister also told the participants to sensitize the people to be preparing their children who intend to marry to be conscious of the challenges and benefits in their proposed marriages as one of the ways to minimize divorce and other forms of violence in the society.
Mrs. Zelipha Muhindo Mbale, a resident of Kyempara village of Isango sub-county, who was among the participants testified that the mode in which families are handling dowries are influencing family breakdowns. According to her, women who get married to men who were exhorted by their families face challenges because men use them in form of revenge of the wealth that they took to their families.
Enos Baluku, the Native Chief for Bwera sub-county questioned paying bride prices through banks and mobile money, which he argued that most families have adopted in disguise of modernity.
ENDS