QUIRKY WORLD ... Court bans ‘bride price’ refund if couple divorce

UGANDA: Uganda’s top court yesterday banned the practice of refunding bride price — normally livestock given by the groom to his bride’s family — when a marriage ends in divorce.

The Supreme Court agreed with activists that the practice undermines the dignity of women but it upheld the practice of paying bride price.

Activists who petitioned the court had hoped the whole culture of giving gifts would be declared unconstitutional on the grounds that it reduces women to the status of property.