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If anything was clear among the thousands of people who turned up for the Bride & Groom Expo 2023, it was the fact that only one person would win a honeymoon getaway to Diani-Mombasa, in the grand prize draw held on Sunday night. 

The second winner would bag a two-night stay at the Mestil Hotel, while the third lucky person would get a wedding gown to be used on their special day courtesy of penny bold Bridals. 

But all that would trickle down to luck. 

To reward as many people as possible who turned up for the expo, the spin-and-win raffle was introduced this year. Each day at least 10 winners walked away with exciting gifts including cakes, wines, and vouchers from the expo sponsors and generous exhibitors. 

“I am so excited to win,” said Elizabeth Namaganda as she was handed a big bottle of wine, having randomly gotten picked from the crowd that was excitedly following the spin-and-win raffle on Sunday afternoon. 

“It’s the last day of my wedding meeting,” a smiley Namaganda who had passed by the expo to get some items for her wedding said happily. 

Others to win Fragolino wines on Sunday included Maureen Nanungi and Ritah Kitandwe. 

Anne Nakityo and Susan Ngeine both won gift vouchers from Inspirations World of Beauty. 

Diana Nakaweesa was the other lucky winner of the day. Alko Vintages gifted her. 

Another lucky winner of the day was Hellen Azira. She received a gift voucher courtesy of Penny Bold Bridals, whereas Jacinta Zalwango Nanbusi was the winner of a cake loaf, from Cake nation. 

The day before (Saturday), several people had similarly won gifts from the spin-and-win raffle. Jothan Yamukeberi was the winner of assorted goodies from Dairy Land, and Beatrice Mbabazi was the other lucky winner to be gifted by Dairy land. 

Rachael Akanktwasa and yet again another Beatrice Mbabazi in the spin and win raffle received their gift vouchers from Inspirations World of Beauty, Rebecca Nabalende was gifted by Alko Vintages, same as Samuel Vubuya and Faith Nandago. 

Paul Semuto and Angel Nagaba were gifted by Penny bold bridals. Annette Kisira from Kawempe was a lucky winner of a cake from Bake 4 Me. 

For three days, a daily spin and win raffle rewarded several attendees of the Bride & Groom Expo. 

The spin and win raffle was repeatedly drawn to ensure all the gifts were given away at the end of the expo which goal was achieved. 

Mother of two wins an engagement  

It was a pure moment of joy for Gatrude Nakamya when her name was read out as the winner of an engagement ring in the first big draw, held on day one of the Bride & Groom Expo. 

Nakamya leapt on her feet while carrying her baby and ululating in delight as she made her way on the stage to pick up her ring from officials from Signature Jewelries. 

She was handed a box with different assortments of pure silver engagement rings to pick one of her choices. 

“I was telling a friend that I hope I win something. I have never believed these draws to be true,” she said. 

Nakayma was in the company of two lady friends she had just made at the Bride & Groom Expo who shared in her joy. 

The 27-year-old stay home mother of two an 11-month-old boy who was with her and a seven-year-old daughter she left at home is from Lungujja a Kampala suburb. 

“They were really beautiful rings. The one I picked was small for my hand. I have been asked to go to the jewellery store on Monday to get a perfect fit for me,” she said at the time looking shy but excited. 

Nakamya lives with her Muslim husband and is the only wife, she says. 

“Muslims don’t wear rings but I will keep mine and wear it at every function. It was God’s will that I win this gift,” she says when asked what she plans to do with the pure silver engagement ring that she won. 

An engagement ring indicates that the person wearing it is engaged to be married, especially in Western cultures. 

It stands for the promise of marriage, it symbolises devotion and commitment to the beloved partner. 

According to CEO of Signature Jewelries Nikhil Dhakan, Nakamya won a designer ring, the Queen Elizabeth designer ring worth sh700,000. 

Five other people were also lucky to win different prizes that included cakes and gowns on day one of the Bride & Groom Expo from exhibitors including Pepsi, Bake 4 me, Dairyland, Inspiration World of Beauty and Penny Bold Bridals, in the spin and win draw.  

“The winners included Lydia Namyalo who got a cake, Ronald Biryommaisho, who was gifted by Inspiration World of Beauty, Shifa Katambaza who was gifted by Pepsi; Babirye Evelyne received her gift from Dairy Land, and Ibrahim Lalani an interior designer (carpentry and furniture) who won a gift from Penny Bold Bridals.  

“If it’s a wedding gown I will give it to my girlfriend,” he joked when asked what was in his gift bag.  

The Bride & Groom Expo 2023 was held under the theme “Love is in the details.” It successfully run from June 23-25, 2023.