A ruling from Rukungiri District Court in Uganda has set off a firestorm online after a young woman, Fortunate Kyarikunda, was handed a six-year prison sentence for refusing to marry a businessman who funded her education. The decision has turned into a national conversation about consent, personal choice, and what counts as a legally binding promise in relationships.
Court reports say Kyarikunda and the businessman started dating in 2015. Around 2018, both sides allegedly agreed the relationship would end in marriage.
Relying on that understanding, the man took on her school fees, living costs, and other expenses until she completed her studies.
Things shifted in 2026 when Kyarikunda turned down his marriage proposal. The businessman then filed a case, claiming there was a clear agreement and that his years of financial support were made in expectation of marriage.
The court reviewed evidence of the support and the alleged promise, and concluded the claims were proven beyond reasonable doubt. Kyarikunda was convicted and sentenced to six years behind bars.
News of the sentence spread fast. Many Ugandans are asking a hard question: should saying “no” to marriage be treated as a crime? Legal experts and rights groups point to Uganda’s Constitution, which protects the right to free consent in marriage. They argue that criminal penalties for changing one’s mind could threaten individual freedom and open the door to coercion.
On the other side, some argue the case isn’t just about refusal, but about a perceived contract. If both parties truly agreed that sponsorship was tied to marriage, then breaking that agreement, in their view, carries consequences. The challenge, they say, is how courts weigh informal, verbal understandings against the basic right to choose a partner.
The case has also highlighted a wider issue: the line between civil matters and criminal cases. When money or resources are involved in a relationship, disputes usually play out as civil claims for reimbursement. Turning it into a criminal matter raises concerns about fairness and about how much weight courts should give to unwritten promises…See More
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