The link between fundamental human rights and the right to carry out traditional practices may
come into conflict with each other. The study is an attempt to describe the practice of
widowhood rites in the different ethnic groups in Uganda and find out the reasons that underlie
the practice. Some of these rites include cruel and degrading treatment. It also sought to find out
why widowhood rites persist in spite of Uganda being a signatory to many human rights
instruments. The study focuses mainly on women, but also looks at what happens to men when
they become widowers. The rites differ and the study looks into the reasons underlying the
differences. Finally the study addresses the role of institutions in controlling and changing the
practice.
The reasons why people go through widowhood rites are varied just as the set of practices are
varied. Love, farewell, blessings, proof of innocence with respect to causing the spouse's death,
and obedience of tradition are the main reasons why people go through widowhood rites. The
force of international conventions and national legislation to ensure the enjoyment of
fundamental human rights is still hampered by tradition. The study shows that men go through
widowhood rites, but the practices are usually not as strict as in the case of women.
The legal framework in Uganda clearly forbids traditional practices that do not conform with the
country's human rights obligations. In addition there are state institutions which have mandates
that allow them to handle and control widowhood practices. Their efforts however are still
hampered by traditional values. it is therefore my conclusion in order to fully implement
international human rights standards activities especially in sensitization must be stepped up to
achieve the desired results.
SSEKANDI, W (2021). Widowhood Rites And The Rights Of Women In Uganda A Comparative Study Of Different Tribes In Uganda On Traditional Practices Against Human Rights. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/widowhood-rites-and-the-rights-of-women-in-uganda-a-comparative-study-of-different-tribes-in-uganda-on-traditional-practices-against-human-rights
SSEKANDI, WAKUBIRWA "Widowhood Rites And The Rights Of Women In Uganda A Comparative Study Of Different Tribes In Uganda On Traditional Practices Against Human Rights" Afribary. Afribary, 12 Jun. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/widowhood-rites-and-the-rights-of-women-in-uganda-a-comparative-study-of-different-tribes-in-uganda-on-traditional-practices-against-human-rights. Accessed 13 Aug. 2022.
SSEKANDI, WAKUBIRWA . "Widowhood Rites And The Rights Of Women In Uganda A Comparative Study Of Different Tribes In Uganda On Traditional Practices Against Human Rights". Afribary, Afribary, 12 Jun. 2021. Web. 13 Aug. 2022. < https://afribary.com/works/widowhood-rites-and-the-rights-of-women-in-uganda-a-comparative-study-of-different-tribes-in-uganda-on-traditional-practices-against-human-rights >.
SSEKANDI, WAKUBIRWA . "Widowhood Rites And The Rights Of Women In Uganda A Comparative Study Of Different Tribes In Uganda On Traditional Practices Against Human Rights" Afribary (2021). Accessed August 13, 2022. https://afribary.com/works/widowhood-rites-and-the-rights-of-women-in-uganda-a-comparative-study-of-different-tribes-in-uganda-on-traditional-practices-against-human-rights