Ugandan Youths Also Burdened by Marriage Costs... "Dowry of 15 Cows"

Much like young Koreans who feel heavily burdened by wedding costs, soaring marriage-related expenses are becoming a social issue in Uganda as well.

According to Ugandan internet media outlet Nile Post on the 11th, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni criticized increased marriage dowries and lavish weddings, pointing out that these growing economic burdens are causing many young Ugandans to give up on marriage.

Attending the wedding of a senior official's daughter recently, President Museveni said, "The people of the Banyankole tribe (in southwestern Uganda) are harming the residents with the dowry the groom gives to the bride's side," adding, "Why ask for 15 cows and millions of shillings (1 million shillings is approximately 380,000 KRW)? Why are you selling your children?"

He went on to say, "You are making young people afraid of weddings. Unfortunately, some start their married lives burdened with debt," urging local communities to return to the true value of marriage and hold modest ceremonies.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Uganda's GDP per capita this year stands at $1,480 (approx. 2.1 million KRW), placing its national income in the lower tier globally.

Citing his own experience, President Museveni stated, "I have 15 grandchildren. I held my wedding by inviting only eight guests for lunch," and urged, "Since lavish weddings cause inconvenience to people, I urge religious leaders to address this issue through their sermons."

President Museveni is 81 years old this year and is one of Africa's most prominent long-serving leaders, having seized power in a 1986 coup.

After being elected as the first directly-elected president in 1996, he amended the constitution twice to eliminate term limits and the 75-year age limit for candidates, marking 40 consecutive years in power this year.

The Nile Post reported that President Museveni's remarks have ignited a nationwide debate over the custom of dowries and the appropriateness of increasingly expensive weddings.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.