President Yoweri Museveni has called for moderation in the payment of bride price, warning that excessive demands are turning marriage into a commercial venture and discouraging many young people from starting families.
Speaking during the traditional Okuhingira ceremony of Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of the Minister of State for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region, Alice Kaboyo, in Kiruhura district on Saturday, Museveni urged the Banyankole community to preserve the cultural significance of the ceremony instead of allowing it to become a financial burden.
The President criticised the growing practice of demanding large sums of money and livestock as bride price, saying it was driving many young people away from marriage.
“You, the Banyankole, are damaging the population with this thing of Okujugusa (paying bride price). Why ask for 15 cows and millions of shillings? Why are you selling your children? You make young people fear marriage and, unfortunately, some begin their lives together in debt,” Museveni said.
He also appealed for simpler wedding ceremonies, arguing that lavish celebrations place unnecessary financial pressure on families and newly married couples.
Drawing on his own experience, Museveni said he and the First Lady, Janet Museveni, held a modest wedding attended by only eight guests.
“I have 15 grandchildren. I wedded Maama Janet abroad with only eight guests at a luncheon. These extravagant weddings are going to disturb people. I urge religious leaders to address this issue through their preaching,” he said.
The President emphasised that the Banyankole’s traditional Okuhingira ceremony is intended to symbolise the union of two families, bless a couple and preserve cultural heritage, rather than serve as a commercial transaction.
Museveni explained that although he rarely attends private social functions because of the logistical demands associated with presidential movements, he made an exception for Kaboyo in recognition of her decades of service and loyalty to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
He recounted Kaboyo’s role in his family dating back to 1979, saying she unknowingly became part of efforts to conceal preparations for the liberation struggle that followed the disputed 1980 general election. He added that after completing her studies, she later cared for the Museveni family in Nairobi and Sweden.
“I said, for this case, I must come,” Museveni remarked, citing Kaboyo’s dedication and the personal losses she has endured, including the deaths of her husband and father.
Beyond the marriage celebrations, Museveni commended communities in Uganda’s cattle corridor for embracing settled dairy farming, saying the practice had improved household incomes.
He also urged livestock farmers to conserve pasture for the dry season and pledged to direct the Minister of Water and Environment, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, to convene stakeholders to discuss measures to protect the Kakyeera and River Rwizi water systems.
Vice President Jessica Alupo congratulated the couple, while Alice Kaboyo thanked the President for honouring her invitation despite his busy schedule.
The ceremony concluded with prayers led by the Bishop Emeritus of North Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya, who urged the couple to build their marriage on patience, forgiveness and understanding.
In the wisdom of H.E Mr Museveni Kaguta, he advised well the banyankole but, this message should go to all Ugandans.
Mr. President,permit me to inform you that Uganda has tribes which are selective to where they marry to and from. You find that even some tribes here have downsized marriage toea mustard seed, that you find a son marrying his causing sister for purposes of keeping blood lineage!
Incest is too much Mr. President and some families here in Uganda seem to have caused all the misfortunes Uganda experiences, and it becomes worse, if the family is powerful.
Africans never had such marriage blindfold, where did it come from?
We all agree that such incest to happen in an African family, such family was excommunicated from the society!
Cultural background check is needed to legitimize some marriages in Uganda, till now, an African is entitled to fight against incest, expensive dowry just like the President advised.
Mr President, you are right to preach the gospel of African unity, however, allow me to inform you that Uganda has families where no other tribe marry from them due tight ring-fencing these families. The grandparents decide who marry from them and should strictly come from one tribe and the selected few families.
How shall Africa unite when mere marriage choice is still appearing to be a risk and ring-fenced by the grandparents?
My president’s submission should be taken seriously by all Ugandans for a greater good of uniting Africa.
Inbred marriages between relatives should not be that expensive.