Sometimes I wonder if I got married because I fell in love or because that is was what every woman at my age was to do.

My name is Yasmine, am 31.

I got married to the first man who showed interest me. My parents liked him and I did not mind him either.

Though he did not live with me, I loved my husband and together we had 5 children. He only came to visit for a few days each month. This did not bother me because I was customarily married and the community respected me. My husband provided for us. He called me his beautiful village wife who gave him beautiful babies. 

However, life in the town seemed to be more vibrant that it engulfed my husband. He only came to the village to make babies. Once I got pregnant, he would disappear again. I would see him again for a couple of days when the baby was born.  The estrangement that had only lasted a few months started getting longer to as many as 6-9 months.

 It was not long before I realized that I was married to a stranger.

The responsibility of looking after 5 children started weighing down on me. My mother noticed the strain and asked me to seek for assistance from my husband.

I went to see my husband with two of his children, he sent us away saying we embarrassed him. He promised if we left immediately, he would send us some money and food. He never did.

Our efforts to try and contact him for any help were fruitless.

One day when my mother was nagging me again, a friend told me to go to MIFUMI.

In June 2008, I went to MIFUMI Advice Centre where I was escorted to report my case to the police. The police summoned my husband. He was ordered to support me and the children which he did for 3 months and stopped.

I returned to MIFUMI and my case was referred to MIFUMI Legal Aid Department.  I filed a case in the family and children’s court. My husband was ordered to pay monthly maintenance of 50,000 Ug. Shillings.

The first time I visited MIFUMI, I nearly turned back for fear that if any member of my community got to hear of my course of action, they would point fingers at me as a shameless woman bringing her bedroom affairs to the public.

However, while I was there I learnt one important life changing fact; My rights and those of my children.

I also learnt that the courts of law were established for everyone to access and MIFUMI showed me this.