Key Social Norms Take-aways This study illustrates how child marriage in Northern Uganda is deeply driven by harmful gender norms that view girls as economic assets. Norms prioritizing boys’ education and associating girls’ worth with bride price and reproductive roles fuel early marriage. Girls are considered ready for marriage at puberty, and families commonly see marriage as the primary life path for daughters. Changing these entrenched norms requires engagement with cultural leaders, stronger law enforcement, and community sensitization on girls’ rights, education, and autonomy. Objectives: To identify the underlying social, cultural, and economic drivers of child marriage in Lira district, Northern Uganda, with a specific focus on community practices and norms. Methods: Using an ethnographic approach, the researchers conducted in-depth fieldwork in five sub-counties over four months. Data collection methods included 15 in-depth interviews, 10 focus group discussions, 14 key informant interviews, and observations at community gatherings and markets. Participants included teenage girls, parents, local leaders, and community members. Results: Three primary themes emerged as drivers of child marriage: (1) Poverty and survival strategies—families married off daughters to alleviate economic hardship or in exchange for livestock, often through informal market-based transactions; (2) Socio-cultural norms—girls were seen as inferior to boys, with little investment in their education, and considered ready for marriage at puberty; and (3) School dropout—girls leaving school due to poverty, early pregnancy, or lack of parental support were more vulnerable to early marriage. Community acceptance of child marriage, weak law enforcement, and the normalization of bride wealth exchanges perpetuated the practice. Conclusions: Child marriage persists in Northern Uganda due to a complex web of poverty, cultural traditions, and gender inequities. The trading of girls for livestock highlights the commodification of young girls in some communities. Addressing child marriage requires coordinated efforts to reduce poverty, keep girls in school, and challenge socio-cultural norms. Community engagement, education, legal enforcement, and economic support to vulnerable households are critical for sustained change.