Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the Banyankole community to preserve the true cultural values of the traditional Okuhingira ceremony by discouraging excessive bride price demands and extravagant weddings, saying the growing commercialisation of marriage is discouraging many young people from starting families.
The President made the remarks on Saturday during the Okuhingira ceremony of Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of the Minister of State for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region, Alice Kaboyo, at Kakyeera in Kiruhura District.
During the ceremony, Kisha was formally handed over to Aaron Mwiije Kafureeka, marking the traditional union of the two families ahead of the couple's marriage. The Okuhingira ceremony is one of the Banyankole's most cherished cultural traditions, symbolising the formal giving away of a bride, the union of families, blessings for the couple, and the preservation of cultural heritage rather than a commercial transaction.
Addressing guests, President Museveni criticised the growing trend of demanding large sums of money and livestock as bride price.
"You, the Banyankole, are damaging the population with this thing of Okujugusa (paying bride price). Why ask for 16 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," he said.
The President also appealed for simpler wedding ceremonies, arguing that lavish celebrations place unnecessary financial pressure on families.
Reflecting on his own marriage, Museveni said he and the First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, had a modest wedding attended by only a few guests.
"I wedded Maama Janet abroad with only eight guests at a luncheon, and today we have 15 grandchildren. These extravagant weddings are going to disturb people. I urge religious leaders to address this issue through their preaching," he said.
Museveni's remarks come amid growing public debate over the rising cost of marriage ceremonies, with many young couples citing high bride price demands and expensive weddings as major barriers to settling down.
The President made the remarks on Saturday during the Okuhingira ceremony of Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of the Minister of State for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region, Alice Kaboyo, at Kakyeera in Kiruhura District.
During the ceremony, Kisha was formally handed over to Aaron Mwiije Kafureeka, marking the traditional union of the two families ahead of the couple's marriage. The Okuhingira ceremony is one of the Banyankole's most cherished cultural traditions, symbolising the formal giving away of a bride, the union of families, blessings for the couple, and the preservation of cultural heritage rather than a commercial transaction.
Addressing guests, President Museveni criticised the growing trend of demanding large sums of money and livestock as bride price.
"You, the Banyankole, are damaging the population with this thing of Okujugusa (paying bride price). Why ask for 16 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," he said.
The President also appealed for simpler wedding ceremonies, arguing that lavish celebrations place unnecessary financial pressure on families.
Reflecting on his own marriage, Museveni said he and the First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, had a modest wedding attended by only a few guests.
"I wedded Maama Janet abroad with only eight guests at a luncheon, and today we have 15 grandchildren. These extravagant weddings are going to disturb people. I urge religious leaders to address this issue through their preaching," he said.
Museveni's remarks come amid growing public debate over the rising cost of marriage ceremonies, with many young couples citing high bride price demands and expensive weddings as major barriers to settling down.
