Parents for marrying off underage girl
Police interrogate the boy who married the under-age girl. Photo by Yazid Yolisigira Iganga
What you need to know:
The boy, who was also arrested, said since he was an orphan, he decided to marry to start a new life.
The parents confessed to have married off the girl to get money.
Police in Iganga District have arrested a couple for allegedly marrying off their 15-year-old daughter.
Jabi Nakaziba, 37, and her husband Richard Nalugodha, 48, were on Tuesday arrested from Nsonzibili village, Buyanga Sub-county in Iganga District after police got information that they had married off their underage daughter to a 17-year-old boy after receiving Shs100,000 in bride price.
The girl, a primary five pupil at Bubala Primary School, was forced to drop out of school to marry a primary six dropout from the neighbouring Bupala Primary School.
Police said the girl was married off in August this year and is two-months pregnant.
Girl narrates ordeal
Speaking at Iganga Police Station, the girl said her parents forced her to marry the boy after getting money.
“His uncle approached my mother and they agreed to pay a bride price of Shs150,000. They paid Shs100, 000 and promised to pay the balance later,” the girl told police.
The victim who looked sick with wounds on her legs said during her stay in marriage, she had been subjected to torture and denied care by the husband.
“I was digging from 6 am until afternoon and I would be beaten whenever I asked for necessities,” the girl narrated her ordeal as tears ran down her cheeks.
The boy, who was also arrested, said since he was an orphan, he decided to marry to start a new life.
“My parents died and I dropped out of school due to lack of school fees. I have been leading a hard life with relative and I thought getting married would console me,” he told said.
He confessed to overworking the victim so that he gets money to clear the balance of Shs50,000 to her parents who were reportedly pestering him.
Parents speak out
The parents confessed to have married off the girl to get money.
Ms Nakaziba said she married off the girl after failing to buy her books and other scholastic materials.
The police spokesman for Busoga East region, James Mubi, said the parents would be taken to court once investigations are complete.
“The girl wants to return to school but lacks school fees. We appeal to the public to come to her rescue,”Mr Mubi said.
He said poverty has forced many parents to marry off their underage daughters for material gains.
