This paper examines the legal framework governing divorce, financial entitlements of a wife, property division, and asset protection under Islamic law in Uganda. It explores the application of Sharia law alongside the Marriage and Divorce of Mohammedans Act, highlighting the jurisdiction of Sharia (Qadhi) Courts and mainstream courts in handling divorce matters involving Muslim marriages. The study further analyzes the grounds for divorce under Islamic principles, emphasizing both legal and moral considerations such as cruelty, adultery, and breakdown of marital harmony. It provides a detailed discussion on matrimonial property, underscoring the shift from traditional interpretations to contemporary approaches that recognize both direct and indirect contributions of spouses. Additionally, the paper outlines the financial rights of a wife upon divorce, including mahr, maintenance during the iddah period, and mut’ah as a consolatory provision. It concludes by emphasizing fairness, equity, and constitutional alignment in the application of Islamic law within Uganda’s legal system.
Irene Ninsiima (Tue,) studied this question.