THE CONTRIBUTION OF POLYGAMY TO SOCIAL STABILITY IN KALAMBA SUB-COUNTY BUTAMBALA DISTRICT
Introduction
Back ground of the Study
According to Emens, (2004) polygamy is the practice and ethical principles of contemporary relationships of more than two people. Laws and norms exert strong pressure on people to promise monogamy, and most people simply succumb to this pressure. The article argues that although monogamy is a sound choice for many, polygamy is a sound choice for others Such relationships take many forms and aspire to several identifiable values, including radical honesty, consent, and the privileging of more sexual and loving experiences over other activities and emotions such as jealousy. Polygamy is global practice by many especially the Muslim community and the mormon fundamentalists who believe in Jesus of the late days. There are vast differences between Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Indonesia, just as there are vast differences between polygamous Mormons who affiliate with the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) and those who have joined the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) these groups may seem more opaque than that between Muslims in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. While the AUB and the FLDS share some similarities of doctrine and practice, the FLDS has recently gained attention as an especially deviant version of polygamous Mormonism. Their leader, Warren Jeffs, is currently serving time for child sexual assault; their communities in Colorado City, AZ; Bountiful, British Columbia; and El Dorado, TX, were reported to be hotbeds of underage marriage and the trafficking of young girls across state and national borders. In contrast, scholars generally paint the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB)) as the least conservative of the polygamous Mormon sects; for example, they eschew underage marriage and do not follow a recognizable dress code. For general information about the different polygamous groups and their histories see: Irwin Altman and Joseph Ginat, Polygamous Families in Contemporary Society(New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996), 43-60; Janet Bennion, “History, Culture, and Variability of Mormon Schismatic Groups” and “The Many Faces of Polygamy: An Analysis of the Variability in Modern Mormon Fundamentalism in the Intermountain West,” in Modern Polygamy in the United States: Historical, Cultural, and Legal Issues, ed. Cardell K. Jacobson and Lara Burton (Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 2011); Brian C. Hales, Modern Polygamy and Mormon Fundamentalism: The Generations after the Manifesto (Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2006); Cardell K. Jacobson and Lara Burton, “Prologue: The Incident at Eldorado, Texas,” in Modern Polygamy in the United States: Historical, Cultural, and Legal Issues, ed. Cardell K. Jacobson and Lara Burton (Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 2011); D. Michael Quinn, “Plural Marriage and Mormon Fundamentalism,” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 31.2 (Summer 1998): 12-23; Anne Wilde, “Fundamentalist Mormonism: Its History, Diversity, and Stereotypes, 1886-Present,” in Scattering of the Saints: Schism within Mormonism, ed. Newell G. Bring hurst and John C. Hamer (Independence, MO: John Whitmer Books, 2007). In Africa polygamy has been part of the African society being regarded as a social capital and point of respect according to Mackert (2000) argues that in west African societies the more wives one had the more social respect is accorded and a gesture of responsible leadership. In east Africa with the coming of Islam many people embraced Islam because it didn’t differ with their cultural value of polygamy according to Kasozi (1986) many people at the coast and in Buganda practiced polygamy and their reversion to Islam is justified Islamic endorsement of polygamy.
Today Across many countries around the world, polygamy is a familiar and apparently robust social institution. In Uganda Polygamy is legal, where a man is allowed to marry multiple wives at a time. Besides, Uganda is one of the few predominately Christian nations to legally recognize polygamous unions, with others being the republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Central African Republic. The legal status of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is disputed. There have been numerous attempts to outlaw polygamy in the country, the first of which was in 1987: though none of the active proposals have passed. Polygamy is being challenged in the constitutional court in a petition brought by MIFUMI in January 2010. The case has yet to be heard.
On March 29, 2005, over 1,000 Ugandan Muslims rallied against the proposed domestic relations bill that would require a husband to seek permission from his frrst wife before marrying any more women.
Many scholars have written on the polygamy basing on religion and feminism leaving out the scioal advantage of polygamy and this has prompted the research to research on the contribution of polygamy to social stability a case study of kalamba sub-county, Butambala District.
Butambala district is one of the new districts established in Uganda. Created by Act of parliament, the district became operational on 01 July 2010, having been split off Mpigi district, together with neighboring Gomba district. Prior to becoming a fully-fledged district, Butamabala was one of the eighteen (18)counties that constitute Buganda Kingdom, Butambala district is bordered by Gomba district to the west and northwest, Mityana District to the northeast, Mpigi district to the east and south and Kalungu district to the southwest. The district headquarters at Gombe town council. This location is approximately 68 kilometers (42 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. In 2001 censure, the population of Butambala was about 86,600.
Problem Statement
Polygamy in Uganda is not only a type of marriage but also a value system. Across many countries around the world, polygamy is a familiar and apparently robust social institution. In August 2003, Human Rights watch published a report over the increase in cases of new infection with HIV in domestic violence and spousal rape and recommended for an overhaul in Ugandan domestic law.
Butambala is a Muslim dominated district. Within the district, polygamy is widely practiced. Part of the reason for this is that the Quran supports the practice. Chapter 4 verse 3 (sura al Nisa4:3) of the Holy Quran allows Muslim men to marry more than one wife as long as they will be just (quran,4:3). However Due to mistreatment and lack of justice, many Muslim families have continued to experience instability due to their failure to be just in this relationship bringing negative connotations in this system of marriage belittling social contribution of polygamy. .
It is against this state of affairs that the researcher decided to carry out an investigation and explore the contribution of polygamy towards social stability in Butambala district. Understanding the contribution of polygamy to social stability would be important in addressing various issues of development in Butambala.
Objectives of the Study
The study will be guided by general objective and specific objectives.
General objective of the study. The overall objective of the study is to analyze the contribution of polygamy towards social stability in kalamba sub-county Butamba district.
Specific objectives of the study. This study has the following specific objectives.
- To examine the causes of polygamy in Kalamba sub-county Butambala District.
- To investigate the effects of polygamy in kalamba sub-county Butambala District.
- To identify measures and programmes that could be implemented to enhance the contribution of polygamy to social stability
Research Question.
- What are the causes of polygamy in Kalamba sub-county Butambala District?
- How does polygamy religious, socially, cultural and politically affect the community in Kalamba sub-county Butambala District?
iii. How does polygamy contribute to social stability?
Scope of the Study
Content scope. The study is limited to the contribution of polygamy to social stability, causes of polygamy and religious, social, cultural and political effects of polygamy in kalamba sub-county Butambala District.
Geographical Scope. The study will be conducted in kalamba sub-county Butambala District, one of the new districts established in Uganda. Created by Act of parliament, the district became operational on 01 July 2010, having been split off Mpigi district, together with neighboring Gomba district. Prior to becoming a fully-fledged district, Butamabala was one of the eighteen (18)counties that constitute Buganda Kingdom, Butambala district is bordered by Gomba district to the west and northwest, Mityana District to the northeast, Mpigi district to the east and south and Kalungu district to the southwest. The district headquarters at Gombe town council. This location is approximately 68 kilometers (42 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. In 2001 censure, the population of Butambala was about 86,600.
Time scope. The period considered for this study will be between the years 2010 – 2015, because it’s within this period that the gap of polygamy contribution to social development was felt and identified.
Significance of the study.
With successful completion of the study, it will be helpful in following areas.
The study will dig out social, cultural, political, and economic causes and effects of polygamy, in kalamba sub-county Butambala District. Further, the study may also help in awakening of the Muslim community particularly in kalamba sub-county Butambala District on the effects of polygamy and its contribution to social stability in kalamba sub-county Butambala District.
In addition, the findings may also help in drawing recommendations and suggestions on how best polygamy can lead to social stability.
1.7 Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework will illustrate the cause-effect relationship between independent and dependent variables, as illustrated in the figure below.
Independent variable Dependent variable
Polygamy Social stability
Intervening variable
|
|
|
Source: Researcher 2014
The conceptual framework above suggests that as far as the study is concern, polygamy, and the number of wives one has will form the constructs under independent variable. The study will be looking at the contribution of polygamy to social stability in Butambala.
Ideally the constructs under the independent variable will lead to social stability in kalamba sub-county Butambala District. ( the dependent variable) through the forecasted activities like Provision of education, Provision of food, Provision of medical care, Provision of guidance and counseling, Religious influence, Political influence and Social influence.
However, there are other moderating factors like Limited finance, Land for expansion, Lack of Muslim teachers, Poor school administration, Government policies and Foundation body which could exert profound effect on the management of Muslim Founded primary Schools.
Definition of Key Terms:
Polygamy: is the practice and ethical principles of contemporary relationships of more than two people.
