Mukono councilor weds in a shrine

Ruth Nakamatte exchange marriage vows with Buyondo Manyigaalubaale in a shrine. Photo by Henry Nsubuga

A councilor's decision to wed in a shrine has caused mixed reactions from her electorate. Mukono Central Division female youth councilor, Ruth Nakamatte, exchanged marriage vows with her fiancée in a shrine.

Nakamatte was traditionally wedded to Buyondo Manyigaalubaale, in a wedding presided over by the heads of the traditional healer's in Uganda, Kabona Jjumba Aligaweesa and Kabona Kayondo Nyongeraako.

The function was held at the traditional healers' headquarters at Ttakajjunge village in Nama sub-county in Mukono district on Sunday.

Nakamatte was baptized in church and named Ruth but she denounced it to adopt Namukasa.

Buyondo was the first to enter the shrine which was filled by a number of traditional healers and their followers from across the country.

Nakamatte, a professional nurse is a daughter of Mukono Central division National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman Ssalongo Male Bakipakampulawa of Ntaawo village in Mukono Municipality.

Nakamatte arrived dressed in a wedding gown which she later changed to wear a backcloth dress.

Unlike the past where traditional healers where known to be operating in darkness, this time they did everything in broad day light.

They also had recorded music and melodious singers who performed music interludes of the tunes praising the African culture. They were only heard singing four choruses of traditional songs with drums only once as they were starting the service.

They made the marriage vows; a service led by Kabona Jjumba whereby the vows were for good and for worse. It is only death to do them apart.

In the vow, Buyondo was told never to think of marrying another wife before discussing it with Nakamatte and getting a go ahead from.

However, Nakaweesi vowed to stay with only Buyondo as her husband until death does them apart.

Kabona Jjumba said that this place was bought recently at shs76m from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni by the help of the area Member of Parliament and state minister for water, Ronald Kibuule.