Health 8 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Polygamy Fuels Large Families in Nakapiripirit Amidst Co-Wife Competition, Health Workers Report
Health professionals in Uganda's Nakapiripirit District highlight that polygamous marriages are driving the trend of large families, as women feel pressured to have more children to gain status and support from their husbands. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/co-wife-competition-drives-large-families-in-nakapiripirit-health-workers-say-5550790
Health workers in Nakapiripirit District have identified a significant factor contributing to large family sizes and low family planning uptake: the intense competition among co-wives in polygamous households.
According to Dr. Jennifer Ayopo of Tokora Health Centre IV, societal pressure and a woman’s perceived status within a polygamous marriage are often tied to the number of children she bears. This dynamic compels some women to continue having children, even beyond their desired family size, in an effort to secure greater attention and resources from their husbands.
“Women compete for their husbands by producing more children,” Dr. Ayopo explained during a health outreach event. She noted instances where mothers have had as many as ten pregnancies, driven by the fear of being disadvantaged compared to their co-wives.
Furthermore, fear of domestic violence and family dissolution discourages many women from adopting family planning methods. Husbands’ opposition to contraception can lead to severe repercussions for women who attempt to use it. This is exacerbated by widespread poverty, making it a struggle for families to afford even basic necessities like education and sanitary pads for their numerous children.
“Most of the children are not in school. These children need books, food and other necessities, yet many parents cannot afford to provide them,” Dr. Ayopo stated, linking school dropout to increased vulnerability to early marriage and teenage pregnancy.
The situation is further complicated by cultural practices where girls are married off for cows, a practice that limits their educational opportunities. While interventions are in place, like ActionAid International’s program funded by the European Union aimed at promoting adolescent girls’ rights and ending harmful practices, challenges persist.
Community leaders and residents are calling for increased awareness about the dangers of large families and the importance of joint decision-making between couples regarding family size, rather than succumbing to competitive pressures. Improving women’s education and economic opportunities are also seen as crucial steps in alleviating the pressure to bear numerous children.