President Museveni has warned that excessive bride price demands and extravagant wedding ceremonies are discouraging many young Ugandans from getting married, urging communities to preserve the cultural significance of traditional marriage by rejecting its growing commercialization.
Speaking during the Okuhingira ceremony of Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of State Minister for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region Alice Kaboyo, in Kakyeera, Kiruhura District on Saturday, August 1, Museveni said demanding large sums of money and livestock from prospective grooms is making marriage increasingly inaccessible for many young people.
“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.
The President stressed that the traditional Okuhingira ceremony was never intended to become a commercial transaction but rather a cultural practice that symbolizes the union of two families, blessings for the couple and the preservation of heritage.
He also criticized the growing trend of lavish weddings, saying expensive ceremonies place unnecessary financial burdens on families and young couples.
Drawing from his own experience, Museveni said he and First Lady Janet Museveni held a modest wedding abroad 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.
Museveni urged religious and cultural leaders to champion affordable marriage ceremonies to enable more young people to start families without accumulating debt.
The President explained that although he rarely attends private social functions because of the logistical demands associated with presidential movements, he made an exception for Alice Kaboyo in recognition of her decades of loyalty and service to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
He recalled that Kaboyo joined his family in 1979 while still a student and unknowingly became part of efforts to conceal preparations for the liberation struggle following the disputed 1980 General Election.
According to Museveni, Kaboyo frequently accompanied him as he projected an image of settling into civilian life, including negotiating to acquire land in Kanoni, a strategy that diverted attention from preparations for the armed struggle launched in February 1981.
He added that after completing her studies, Kaboyo later joined the First Lady in Nairobi, where she helped care for the Museveni family before moving with them to Sweden.
Museveni said her dedication over the years, coupled with the personal losses she had suffered, including the deaths of her husband and father, made it important for him to personally attend the ceremony.
“I said, for this case, I must come,” he remarked.
Beyond the marriage celebrations, Museveni commended communities in the cattle corridor for embracing settled dairy farming, saying the shift from nomadic pastoralism had significantly improved household incomes.
He encouraged livestock farmers to grow and conserve pasture to prepare for prolonged dry seasons and emphasized the need to protect water sources while expanding irrigation infrastructure.
The President said he would direct Water and Environment Minister Kahinda Otafiire to convene stakeholders to discuss measures to safeguard the Kakyeera and River Rwizi water systems, which are critical to western Uganda.
Vice President Jessica Alupo congratulated the couple and wished them a peaceful, prosperous and enduring marriage, while Alice Kaboyo thanked Museveni for honouring her invitation despite his demanding schedule.
The ceremony began with prayers led by Bishop Emeritus of North Ankole Diocese Stephen Namanya, who encouraged the couple to build their marriage on patience, forgiveness and understanding, reminding them that challenges are a normal part of married life.
The colourful cultural event was attended by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, senior government officials, military officers and other invited guests.
