Shock as bride dies at own reception

By Chris Mugasha

SHEEMA - What had been a day everyone had anticipated so much turned into one to forget in a twist of events when a bride collapsed and died at her own reception.

The incident occurred in Beijengye parish, Kyabugimbi sub-county in Sheema district.

The mood at the Saturday event immediately turned from festive to sorrow and disbelief when Peace Komujuni dropped dead in the presence of her newly-wed husband, family, friends and several guests.

She had just tied the knot with Justus Tumuhimbise that very day into a union they would never really spend much time together.

Komujuni, said to be in her mid-30s, was reportedly seven-months pregnant at the time of her death.

They had wedded at Kabwohe Church of Uganda, Sheema district but their marriage life did not last even a day.

On the fateful day, the couple arrived at the reception premises where they were to cut and share a cake with hundreds of guests, only for the bride to collapse moments later to her last breath.

Her father, Rev. Yoram Byempaka, said she had not reported any ailment prior to her death. She was the sixth in a family of 10.

Komujuni was a teacher at Nganwa Junior School, while her husband is also a teacher, but at Muzira Primary School.

By press time, her body was still at the hospital for post-mortem examination.

“We cannot allow the burial without a post-mortem examination report to verify the cause of death,” said a Police personnel, while addressing mourners.

Several relatives wanted the burial to take place immediately so that they could utilise the food, tents, chairs and the public address system, which were in place for the wedding.

Access to Tumuhimbise was prohibited by friends and relatives who jammed his room to comfort him.

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Things could never have gotten any worse for the bride's mother (L) and her father Rev Yoram Byempaka (M). PHOTO/Chris Mugasha

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Food that was meant to be served for a wedding party was instead served for a funeral. PHOTO/Chris Mugasha