Bride and Groom Expo
Love sealed live: Couple makes Bride & Groom Expo history
The colourful ceremony, conducted by NIRA registrar Leah Agnes Kisaalu, was witnessed by exhibitors, family members, friends and hundreds of expo visitors, making it one of the highlights of this year's event.
Love sealed live: Couple makes Bride & Groom Expo history
By: Jacky Achan and Ibrahim Ruhweza, Journalists @New Vision
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History was made at the Bride & Groom Expo 2026 when Nelson Suubi and Justine Namulega became the first couple to exchange vows at the annual exhibition in a civil marriage ceremony officiated by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
The colourful ceremony, conducted by NIRA registrar Leah Agnes Kisaalu, was witnessed by exhibitors, family members, friends and hundreds of expo visitors, making it one of the highlights of this year's event.
Congratulating the newlyweds, Vision Group Chief Executive Officer, Don Wanyama, described the ceremony as a perfect reflection of the expo’s mission to provide practical solutions for couples preparing for marriage.
The occasion was as stylish as it was significant. The bride turned heads in an elegant off-shoulder white wedding gown featuring a dramatic oversized bow cascading down the back.
Her matron complemented the celebration in a floor-length hot pink satin dress, while the groom looked dapper in a brown suit paired with a crisp white shirt, black bow tie, black trousers and polished black shoes. His best man matched the look, giving the wedding party a coordinated and sophisticated appearance.
“When we say 'being real', this is what we mean,” Wanyama said, adding that the exhibition gives couples an opportunity to plan their weddings conveniently while connecting directly with reputable vendors.
“An expo like this is important because couples can come here, meet different service providers, compare options and discover that it is possible to organise a beautiful wedding in a simple, well-coordinated and affordable manner,” he said.
He further thanked the Bride & Groom Expo 2026 for simplifying wedding planning by bringing a wide range of trusted service providers together under one roof. He commended the couple for choosing to celebrate their union at the expo and thanked visitors for making the Bride & Groom Expo their preferred destination for wedding planning and shopping.
Wanyama also applauded NIRA for raising awareness about civil marriages and educating Ugandans on the registration process. He further thanked the event’s sponsors and partners for supporting the live wedding ceremony.
NIRA encouraged couples to consider civil marriage as a practical option instead of spending beyond their means on elaborate ceremonies. “I am sure many of us who have been following today’s activities have learned some important lessons,” Wanyama noted.
“When we say 'being real', this is what we mean,” Wanyama said, adding that the exhibition gives couples an opportunity to plan their weddings conveniently while connecting directly with reputable vendors.
“An expo like this is important because couples can come here, meet different service providers, compare options and discover that it is possible to organise a beautiful wedding in a simple, well-coordinated and affordable manner,” he said.
He further thanked the Bride & Groom Expo 2026 for simplifying wedding planning by bringing a wide range of trusted service providers together under one roof. He commended the couple for choosing to celebrate their union at the expo and thanked visitors for making the Bride & Groom Expo their preferred destination for wedding planning and shopping.
Wanyama also applauded NIRA for raising awareness about civil marriages and educating Ugandans on the registration process. He further thanked the event’s sponsors and partners for supporting the live wedding ceremony.
NIRA encouraged couples to consider civil marriage as a practical option instead of spending beyond their means on elaborate ceremonies. “I am sure many of us who have been following today’s activities have learned some important lessons,” Wanyama noted.
Recognising the partners who made the live wedding showcase possible, Wanyama praised their contribution to the success of the event. Among those acknowledged were Bridal World for dressing the bride, Cake to Differ for providing the wedding cake, Bella Zuri for the bride's make-up, Bella Wine for the customised wine, City Bridals for the bride's second gown, Avenua Photo Booth for photography services and Brovard Sands for sponsoring the couple’s honeymoon.
The expo is sponsored by Bella Wine, Pepsi Uganda and The Looks Bespoke, in partnership with Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Roke Telecom, CHINT Oppein Uganda and NIRA. The exhibition continues throughout the weekend, with entry set at sh10,000 per person.
The expo is sponsored by Bella Wine, Pepsi Uganda and The Looks Bespoke, in partnership with Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Roke Telecom, CHINT Oppein Uganda and NIRA. The exhibition continues throughout the weekend, with entry set at sh10,000 per person.