Only 3,623 marriages had been captured in the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) database six months after the authority took over the marriage registration function.

The above highlights what officials say is the need for greater public awareness about formalising marriages.

The figure was revealed by NIRA Executive Director and Registrar General of Marriages, Rosemary Kisembo, with Christian marriages accounting for the overwhelming majority of registered unions.

According to the data, 2,460 Christian marriages were registered, representing about 68 percent of the total and Muslim marriages accounted for 820 registrations, or about 23 percent.

256 customary marriages made up roughly 7 percent and only five Hindu marriages were registered during the period.

The statistics come after NIRA took over responsibility for marriage registration from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) as part of the government’s rationalisation of public agencies and services.

The relatively low number of registered marriages compared with the number of unions celebrated across the country raises fresh questions about public awareness and compliance with marriage registration requirements.

NIRA recognises and registers several forms of marriage, including civil, Christian, Muslim, customary and Hindu marriages.

The authority says registration is important because marriage records can provide legal proof of a union and help protect spouses and families in matters involving property, inheritance and next-of-kin recognition.

Under the marriage registration system, religious institutions authorised to conduct marriages are required to file marriage returns, while marriages celebrated under customary and other recognised systems must also be registered through the appropriate legal procedures.

NIRA has in recent months intensified efforts to improve compliance, including warning places of worship that fail to submit marriage returns.

The authority has said marriage celebrants and institutions have statutory obligations to transmit marriage records to the Registrar General.

The latest figures also underline the dominance of Christian marriages among unions formally captured in the new NIRA database, although the registration numbers should not necessarily be interpreted as reflecting the total number of marriages taking place in Uganda.

Many marriages may be celebrated without their records immediately reaching the national registration system.

As NIRA expands its civil registration mandate, officials are expected to continue encouraging couples, religious institutions and traditional leaders to ensure marriages are properly recorded.

The agency says a properly registered marriage is more than a ceremonial record and it can become a critical legal document when questions arise over succession, property ownership and family rights.