Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has sparked a heated online debate after saying that denying a spouse sex within marriage is a "big" and "very serious" offense.
Speaking at the Inter-Religious Family Festival in Kampala, Museveni said withholding marital intimacy was considered a serious wrongdoing in traditional Ugandan society.
He later expanded on the remarks during a 56-minute address from State House Entebbe on Friday, July 4, citing pre-colonial justice systems.
The long-serving leader said an act known as Kugunga, the withholding of marital intimacy, was historically treated as a major offense alongside public insults and neglect of family responsibilities.
"Mistreatment of a spouse such as 'Kugunga', which means denial of sex, that's a big offense," Museveni said in a video seen by TNX Africa.
Ugandan President General Yoweri Museveni says Denying your partner sex is a big offensepic.twitter.com/gfHpU2wkLb
— Omwamba ?? (@omwambaKE) July 5, 2026
Museveni also encouraged young people to marry between the ages of 22 and 23, arguing that early marriage contributes to healthier and longer-lasting relationships.
His comments quickly went viral, overshadowing other topics in his speech, including trade, the economy, and anti-corruption efforts.
The remarks divided opinion online. Supporters defended Museveni's position, citing both cultural traditions and biblical teachings, while social media was flooded with memes and jokes from those who agreed with him.
Critics, however, argued that describing the refusal of sex as an offense undermines the modern principle of consent. Others lamented that the debate had diverted attention from pressing national issues such as the economy and governance.
It is worth noting that Ugandan law does not criminalise a spouse for refusing marital intimacy.
On X, Robinson Kalanzi wrote: "How is that connected with the serious issue of fraudulent elections characterised by violence? I can't smile while Dr Besigye, Erias Lukwago, Hon Kivumbi, Eddie Mutwe, NUP youths and Mugumya's whereabouts are not known. We don't know who is next. We live in fear. Let us solve the current issues that are of real concern to us."
Another user, Alfred Mwaro, supported the president's remarks, writing: "The wise elders have said it. Let's give our partners their conjugal rights."