MP Jimmy Akena finds his missing rib in Amongi

Apr 08, 2013

The traditional marriage of MPs Jimmy Akena, (Lira Municipality), son of the late president Dr. Milton Obote and Oyam South MP, Betty Amongi, in Minakulu sub county, Oyam district, brought together leaders and communities from different political parties.

By Chris Ocowun and Bonney Odongo

The traditional marriage of MPs Jimmy Akena, (Lira Municipality), son of the late president Dr. Milton Obote and Oyam South MP, Betty Amongi, in Minakulu subcounty, Oyam district, brought together leaders and communities from different political parties.

President Yoweri Museveni also graced the ocassion. Museveni challenged Akena and Amongi to produce a child and name him or her Okot or Akot, since their marriage brought rain. He said marriage is the foundation of a society, adding that a society that mismanages marriage ends up with a lot of problems.

“Therefore, it is wise that we don’t play with families,” he said. He added that there is misuse of the English translation of bride price. He said bride price is not the correct translation of what the parent of a man gives to the parents of a girl during marriage.  The jovial-looking Museveni congratulated Akena and Amongi upon their marriage and wished them good luck.

Museveni also announced that the Government would build a big city at Karuma, where a power dam is to be constructed. He said the Government has sh1,300b ready for that purpose. He also said there were plans to repair Kafu-Karuma and Karuma-Gulu roads.

Museveni said the creation of more districts must stop for the Government to deal with basic issues like roads, electricity and other infrastructure.

The President added that for each of the old districts to have a hospital and better infrastructure, the Government needs to be careful with the creation of new districts. The President, who handed over an envelope to the couple, said people should not just grow food crops, but also engage in commercial farming.

He advised that instead of only planting 50 stems of oranges, people should grow citrus in large scale for commercial purpose. “Crops are Betty Amongi kneels to greet her mother-in-law Miria Obote Elders praying for the ceremony before it started not for botanical study. We need commercial farming,” the President stated.

Masindi Woman MP Jalia Bintu, who represented the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, said the youth should emulate Akena and Amongi and embrace traditional marriage.

Bintu urged parents to add value to their girls by educating them. Oyam Woman MP Santa Alum Ogwal said as leaders, they want to promote traditional marriage, adding that bride price is key in traditional marriages. She said the marriage of Akena and Amongi comes at the time when Ugandans are pondering over the Marriage of Divorce Bill.

“We are witnessing marriage and not divorce. If a man pays bride price, then that is a true man. He who fi nds a good woman, finds a good thing,” Alum said, adding that for a stable society, traditional marriage should be promoted and encouraged among the young people.

The leadership of Oyam district appealed to the President for a district hospital, saying that the sub-county Health  Centre IIIs are overwhelmed by the high number of patients. The leaders also complained  about the unspent money that districts return to the fi nance ministry when the financial year ends.

About 32 MPs attended the traditional marriage.

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