S101

GENERAL PAPER
29th July 2022
2 Hours 40 Minutes

KAMPALA WAKISO GIANT SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION (KWGSA)

National Joint Mock Examinations 2022
Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education
GENERAL PAPER
2 Hours 40 Minutes

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:

 The total time of 2 hours 40 minutes includes ten minutes for you to study the questions
before you begin answering.
 Answer two questions which must be chosen as follows: One question from section A and
one question from section B.
 Answers to each question must begin on a fresh answer booklet and should then be
fastened together.
 You are advised to divide your time equally between the two questions.
 All questions carry equal marks.
 Any additional question (s) attempted will not be marked.

© KWGSA Joint Mock Examinations 2022 Page 1 of 4

 SECTION A (50 marks)
Choose one of the following topics and write between 500 – 800 words in length.

1. Examine the problems facing the judiciary in Uganda today.

2. Explain how lakes in Uganda can be conserved.
3. What are the problems faced by urban authorities in your country today? Suggest
solutions to contain the problems.
4. What are the causes and effects of the increasing religious denominations?

SECTION B
Answer one question from this section

5. Study the information below carefully and answer the questions that follow
A table showing the percentage trust in institutions
in Uganda between 2005 and 2008
Institutions YEARS
2005 2008
Presidency 78 56
Legislature 70 51
Electro commission 65 40
Ruling party 72 45
Opposition 35 39
Police 63 38
Judiciary 72 51
Adapted from the Afrobaiometer survey by the nternational
republic institute, 30 April, 2009.
Questions
(a) (i) Draw a comparative bar graph to represent the above statistics. (13 marks)
(ii) State the institution (s) that gained popularity among Ugandans between
2005 and 2008. (13 marks)
(iii) Account for the increase in popularity for the institution named in (a) (ii)
above. (04 marks)
(b) (i) State the most popular institution among Ugandans for the period under
review. (01 mark)
(ii) Account for its high popularity (04 marks)
(c) (i) Which institution incurred the biggest loss in popularity. (02 marks)
(ii) Why did the institution in (c) (i) above decline in popularity? (06 marks)
(d) What can public institutions do to improve their image? (08 marks)

SPGE (10 marks)

© KWGSA Joint Mock Examinations 2022 Page 2 of 4

6. Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow using your own words
wherever possible.
The current debate on the Marriage and Divorce Bill is a public manifestation of the
incessant battle for the control of women’s sexuality, which is multi-faceted battle-call it
right to property, marital rape, bad cultural practices like bride wealth, immorality,
promiscuity, etc. the debate questions the status quo, which interestingly is buttressed
by two major pillars of our society-culture and religion. More captivating is the fact that
marriage (family) is the bedrock of and nursery bed for culture and religion. This battle
effectively plays into state politics and its legal means or control-law or legislation,
which by our legal system is a more compelling and superior command than morality
and codes of religious rules.
The proponents and the supporters of the bill in its current form have designed a very
compelling and persuasive narrative in defence of the provisions – protecting of the
person and property rights of the female sex. No sane man would oppose such
protection for our mothers, wives, sisters and members of the congregation or
community. On the other hand, those who smell a rat with some of the provisions in
the Bill also make interesting and forceful moral and religious arguments like increased
breakdown of marriages, curbing promiscuity, women fleecing men of their property,
etc.
Among the hotly contentious provisions of the Bill, is the introduction of marital rape,
which effectually would make women, have full control on when to have sex or not. Its
practicability, enforcement and effects will be left for another forum. Another
contentious issue is sharing of property at dissolution of marriage. For the rural
families and communities in which the only asset is customary land, will this entail
sharing of customary land, which the husband may not own but only have rights to dig?
Will this provision have any relevance and meaning to their lives?
Of great concern to me is the provision that marriage gifts should not be an essential part
of customary marriage. Majority of marriages in Uganda are customary and or religious
marriages. Most of the religious marriages are celebrated after religious ministers have
ascertained that customary marriage has already been solemnized.
In my culture amont the Acholi, bride wealth is at the centre of the marriage ceremony,
which is not a mere union of a man and woman but by extension, a union of two
communities. Marriage between relatives is forbidden. In the evening of the marriage
ceremony, the grooms entourage will bring the gifts that would have been contributed by
relatives and not the groom alone. This contribution accords the bride security in the
community as her husband alone should not make decisions to divorce her or separate
with her without having valid reasons. The most acceptable was witchcraft.

© KWGSA Joint Mock Examinations 2022 Page 3 of 4

To demonstrate humility and obedience, the groom’s entourage would keep time and
sit properly in the home of the in-laws to be, among others. Before negotiations or
discussions about the gifts are started, the consent of the bride is publicity sought.
The negotiation about the gifts must be conducted courteously while exhibiting ability
and capability as opposed to show of greed or arrogance on either side.
I have witnessed a marriage ceremony where the bride price was deposited in the bank.
The elders refused to give their blessing. This is increasingly happening with inter-
marriages. It makes a marriage ceremony more of the couple’s affairs than the
community’s. in rural Uganda, the communities contribute a lot to the well being of a
child and are not prepared to let go easily off their sons and daughters rewarding them
by way of such ceremonies. The communal way of life and sharing common resources
may not favour individual ownership, control and accumulation of private resources.
A piece of legislation should not apply to a section of the community. At the same time,
it should peacefully transform bad practices. According to the sociological school of
law, law and society should be at the same level not one ahead of the other. A few
provisions of the Bill are ahead of society and if passed, maybe redundant for many
years before society catches up with them. The bill is putting the cart before the horse!
We already have very many laws and their implementation is proving to be a challenge.
Let me be clear, I am not saying our mothers, wives and sisters should continue to suffer.
We have laws starting from the constitution, which are used to protect them.
Questions
a) Suggest a suitable title for this passage. (04 marks)
b) What does the author mean by;
(i) “….the bed rock of and nursery bed for culture and relition……” (03 marks)
(ii) “….. bride wealth is at the centre of marriage” (03 marks)
c) In not more than 120 words, summarise the author’s views about the marriage
and divorce bill. (10 marks)
d) Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the passage.
(20 marks)
(i) Incessant battle
(ii) Buttressed
(iii) Smell of a rat
(iv) Contentious issue
(v) Celebrated
(vi) Demonstrate humility
(vii) Consent
(viii) Piece of legislation
(ix) Putting the cart before the horse
SPGE (10 marks)
END

© KWGSA Joint Mock Examinations 2022 Page 4 of 4