• Hon. Mukasa Mbidde argues that the pool of eligible single men—particularly those in their 40s—is limited, with only a small percentage being divorced or widowed. 
  • As a result, Mbidde says women should not settle under pressure but rather use their financial independence to make better relationship choices. 

Ugandan politician Hon Mukasa Mbidde has issued a longstanding cultural and societal caution to women regarding marriage. He remarked that when a woman reaches 30 without being married, the likelihood of finding a suitable partner decreases significantly.

The traditional view has long asserted that women should aim to marry before turning 30, as this age is considered optimal for attracting the best partners; there is a belief that a woman’s value diminishes as she ages.

According to Mbidde, when a woman turns 30 and remains single, she should not feel pressured to marry; instead, she should focus on building her finances and be in a position to choose a partner, given the limited availability of men.

This situation arises because the men women may be interested in at that age are typically in their 40s, and the likelihood of single men in that age bracket is quite rare, often confined to those who are divorced or widowed. This leaves women with few options, compelling them to accept whoever comes along.

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“I consistently advise women that once you turn 30 and are still unmarried, do not stress about finding a husband. Instead, concentrate on earning money, as you may find yourself in a position to pursue marriage with a man. If you are 30 and single, it suggests that the men you are looking for are likely in their 40s, and the chances of them being available are low. Only about 20% of these men are either divorced or widowed. Consequently, you may end up settling for what is accessible rather than what you truly desired,” he stated.

In response, some women in the comments contended that there are indeed single men in their 30s and 40s. However, some men expressed a preference for women in their 20s, for reasons that remain unspecified.