Rising Trend: 80% of Divorce Cases in Uganda Filed by Women, Court Data Reveals
In a stark revelation from the judiciary, new data indicates that women in Uganda are initiating the overwhelming majority of divorce proceedings, with many citing domestic violence, abuse, and infidelity as primary reasons for seeking to end their marriages.
According to statistics obtained by The Daily Monitor from the Family Division of the High Court, up to 80% of the over 1,300 divorce cases filed by the end of September were brought forward by women.
The court documents paint a distressing picture of the marital breakdowns, with a significant number of female petitioners listing severe grievances. The most common complaints include physical assault, domestic violence, and persistent verbal abuse.
Beyond physical safety, women reported suffering from profound disrespect and psychological torture. Many specifically cited the prolonged silent treatment from their spouses—a form of emotional neglect—as a key factor, alongside constant quarrels and public or private humiliation.
A significant number of petitions also raised the issue of infidelity, suggesting that betrayal of trust is a major contributor to the dissolution of marriages.
The staggering statistic highlights a growing willingness among Ugandan women to legally challenge untenable marital situations. Legal and social analysts suggest this trend may point to a slow but significant shift in women’s empowerment, as they increasingly seek legal recourse to escape abusive and disrespectful relationships.
“The data from the Family Division is a clear cry for help,” commented a court official who preferred anonymity. “It underscores the urgent need for broader societal conversations about the quality of marriages, gender-based violence, and the mental well-being of spouses, particularly women.”
The figure of over 1,300 cases in just three quarters of the year also points to a potentially rising rate of marital discord, with the courts becoming the final arbiter for a growing number of fractured families.
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