By Aulah Najjuuka & Yasiri J. Kasango
Cohabitation is a trend that seems to be growing at Uganda Christian University (UCU), a quick basic survey we did, shows. University students are increasingly opting to cohabit, a practice that they say offers both convenience and companionship. However, this trend has raised concerns amongst various people within the institution. While some see it as a pragmatic solution to high living costs and a way to strengthen relationships, others warn of the potential academic and social pitfalls.
A student we spoke to who preferred to remain anonymous and who cohabits said, “I must say it feels pretty good because you are closer to your loved one. The workload is divided, and there is a wide range of development since everyone has different ideas and suggestions.” A number of other students we spoke to echoed similar sentiments, saying there are emotional and financial benefits of living with their partners.
However, UCU’s Students Code of Conduct presents a clear stance against such practices. According to the code, engaging in acts of sexual immorality, including cohabitation, constitutes a serious offense. “Any student who is found involved in acts of sexual immorality, adultery, fornication, or sodomy—inside or outside the university—shall be guilty of an offense,” the code states.
Despite these regulations, students continue to cohabit, often in secrecy. Most of the cohabiting happens in hostels outside the university premises. The university halls, or hostels whose services are outsourced by the university accommodate only one gender and do not allow the opposite sex inside.
Some students say cohabitation proves their commitment to each other. “We just couldn’t stay apart for too long; she was always here, and I was always at hers, so we just decided to stay together,” shared one.
Another talked about how she and her partner supported each other academically. “For books, we were both on our game because we spent every evening on campus catching up with colleagues and returned to the hostel together between 10pm and midnight. We even had a tendency of doing course unit research for each other since we did the same course but had different course units,” she said.
Financial stability is another factor that causes students to cohabit. The economic benefit of sharing expenses is something that appeals to many students. By splitting rent and other living costs, students find it easier to manage their limited finances. “For the place, we paid for a double room, so I pay the most money, and we both have some gigs we do that help us with upkeep,” another student added. While a double room costs more than a single, one is able to pay less for it if they share the costs with someone else.
Pamela Tumwebaze, the Director of Student Affairs (DOSA), emphasises that UCU does not condone cohabitation. “It is against the Christian values that prohibit fornication and adultery,” she says, adding that students who are cohabiting are misusing the parents money since they do not work and are earning a salary.
While students insist that cohabitation offers benefits, the truth is that it also presents challenges, especially when it comes to balancing academics or work for some, and their personal life.
“If it comes to books, I give it time since I’m not in a rush. I have my boyfriend anytime, any day,” said one student. However, not all students find this balance easy to maintain. A former student who finished university and is now employed and cohabits with a student says he has literally become a husband. He noted that he can’t leave his girlfriend alone in the evenings. “I have missed some gigs because my friends accuse me of giving them excuses that I have to stay with my girlfriend,” he shared, adding that he does not have much of a social life with his friends because he has to return home every evening to spend time with his girlfriend.
Cohabitation also affects social and emotional dynamics among students. While some enjoy the close companionship, others face challenges in maintaining healthy relationships. One student says the support he gets from his girlfriend helps him stay focused and motivated. “I won’t lie with books; it’s really my girl that pushes us; she is more focused than I am,” shared one male student. However another admits that his social life has somewhat died: “When I got into this relationship it cut off my social life, my girlfriend is my only friend,” he said.
Another student shared that although she prefers to stay with her boyfriend, when it comes to conflict, she finds herself sometimes agreeing to what he wants or ending an argument just to keep the peace.
“Sometimes when we argue, I just decide to give in to what he wants. Otherwise it is uncomfortable to always have to come to the room and be angry with this person every day. If I persist, I have nowhere to go if we fail to agree. I also sometimes miss what my friends have. At the end of the day, they have a place they can call their own. If they are unhappy or just want to be alone to reflect or just to have some space, they can go to their rooms but for me I can’t. The only space I have is in the same house as him, so I do not have that space to just be me sometimes,” she said.
The views of family and society also play a significant role in the cohabitation debate.
“Both our parents do not know about us staying together, but I’m pretty sure they both wouldn’t consent to it,” said one student. The fear of disapproval from parents often forces students to keep their cohabitation a secret.
“My parents don’t know,” mentioned another student, highlighting the varying levels of acceptance among families. The traditional values held by many Ugandan families often clash with the more liberal lifestyles adopted by some students, and there are significant reasons why parents would not agree to this lifestyle. They fear that their children will not concentrate on their studies, or will get sexually transmitted diseases or become pregnant while still at school. Parents and guardians also believe that their children are still rather young to be committed to such a relationship since it makes many demands on a person.
Tumwebaze advises students not to take this route: “Girls should not have wife roles at a girlfriend stage; boys should not have husband roles at a boyfriend stage. You should put a ring on it [get married legally] so that you enjoy the sexual relationships you desire,” she emphasised.
Cohabitation remains an issue of debate. Students are likely to continue with the trend because they believe it offers practical benefits and emotional support. However, it also comes with social and personal challenges, and demands they need not have at this stage. The UCU administration remains firm in its stance against cohabitation, emphasising the need for students to adhere to the code of conduct.
Dr Micheal Mwebaza, receiving his PHD degree from the UCU Chancellor The Archbishop of Church of Ugnada. Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalo
The UCU 25th graduation guest of honour, Prof Daniel Asua Wubah, the Millersville University Pennsylvania, USA
The UCU top management during the 25th graduation ceremony
The UCU graduates during the 25th graduation ceremony waiting for their degrees to be conferred upon them.
The mace bearer, the 26th guild vice president, Richard Miiro leading the procession of the UCU 25th graduation.
Master students on the red carpet at the UCU 25th graduation
Chairperson University Council, Rt.Rev.Prof.Alfred Olwa
