Family Stories
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AGONY
My name is Sarah. I am 42years and I live in Bushenyi district, Western Uganda. When I was a young girl, I lived with my mother, father and two sisters. I grew up well in a happy family. I had wishes and dreams of a happy marriage. But before I got married, my parents passed away in a motor accident, leaving me sorrowful. Nonetheless, I was hopeful that I would find my happiness with a husband. My aunt, who lived nearby us in Bushenyi, took over the responsibility of taking care of me and my two sisters. My aunt prepared me for marriage and ensured that both my traditional marriage and church wedding happened successfully. I am forever grateful to my aunt for all the effort and hard work.
My husband was the owner of a supermarket in Fort Portal. After our wedding, we settled in Fort Portal to make a home. Over the course of our marriage, we had four healthy children, all delivered by c-section. Throughout these years of conceiving and delivering children, I suffered physical and emotional abuse from my husband. He despised me because he knew I had nobody to run to. He neglected me and was constantly jealous and controlling of my dress code and movements. He usually came back home after 3 am drunk, violent and expectant of a warm meal. He slept around with so many other women because of his lifestyle but I remained patient through it all. I carried on with housework, childcare and farming responsibilities but slowly grew timid and despondent.
Discussions on the issue of physical and domestic violence with family and friends over the years proved to be futile. I wish my husband could change, but I have come to accept him for who he is, however unpleasant his behavior and actions are. Thanks to my faith in God, supportive friends and advisers, I have managed to keep a smile on my face while caring for my school-going children and going about my other responsibilities. To date, I keep home and hope that my children will finish school and grow up to live a much better life one day.
