Minister Jessica Alupo’s husband pays sh62m bride price
Jul 13, 2011
EDUCATION minister Lt. Jessica Alupo Epel on Saturday introduced her long-time fiancé Capt. Innocent Tukashaba to her parents in a grand ceremony attended by several ministers and dignitaries.
By Simon Naulele
EDUCATION minister Lt. Jessica Alupo Epel on Saturday introduced her long-time fiancé Capt. Innocent Tukashaba to her parents in a grand ceremony attended by several ministers and dignitaries.
The ceremony held in Oigo Imomwa village, Ongongoja sub-county in Katakwi district climaxed with Lt. Alupo’s husband agreeing to pay sh62m as bride price, according to one of the elders who was involved in the discussions.
Guests were entertained by traditional music groups that performed popular traditional dances – Akongo and Ajosi.
Alupo, a retired army lieutenant, also used the function to celebrate her appointment as the education minister. A number of UPDF officers attended the colourful ceremony. State minister Christine Hellen Amongin Aporu, who acted as the ‘Senga’ (aunt) for Alupo, said she (Alupo) had taken long searching for ‘Mister Right’.
Alupo’s father, George William Epel, who was a primary school head teacher, was killed in 2003 by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels.
Only her mother, Bernadette Epel, is still alive and was given unspecified gifts in a suitcase.
The function, which was earlier scheduled to kick off at 12:00pm, started at 3:00pm with prayers led by Rev. Fr. John Peter Maheishe.
As is the norm, an identification parade was conducted where the groom identified his bride from a group of women and the bride confirmed that she knew the groom.
Thereafter, the groom placed an envelope on a table for the bride to pick as proof that she had accepted the man before her relatives.
However, Aporu returned the envelope on establishing that it contained sh2m.
Tukashaba and his entourage added another sh3m as the in-laws and other guests applauded.
Elders from both sides then moved aside to agree on the bride price.
One of the elders told New Vision that the in-laws agreed to pay sh62m as bride price.
Part of the money was paid immediately.
New Vision also learnt from the family that Alupo’s husband had already given a number of cows and goats to the family.
Alupo and her husband later exchanged rings under the guidance of Fr. Wasiwasi Ngonzanga Ongereny.
“The journey has been long, but we have landed safely. Now I give this ring to you as a sign of love,†remarked Tukashaba.
“Innocent, I want to thank you for choosing me among thousands of women. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I promise to love you pakalast,†Alupo replied amidst applause by the guests.
Alupo’s husband is from the Abachimbiri clan and originates from Karukoba village, Ntarabana parish, Buhara sub-county, Ndorwa East county in Kabale district.
The high profile traditional ceremony attracted several ministers and MPs from Teso and other parts of the country.
The couple is scheduled to wed on Saturday at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala.
Archbishop emeritus Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala is expected to preside over the marriage and the couple will host a reception at Speke Resort, Munyonyo.
EDUCATION minister Lt. Jessica Alupo Epel on Saturday introduced her long-time fiancé Capt. Innocent Tukashaba to her parents in a grand ceremony attended by several ministers and dignitaries.
The ceremony held in Oigo Imomwa village, Ongongoja sub-county in Katakwi district climaxed with Lt. Alupo’s husband agreeing to pay sh62m as bride price, according to one of the elders who was involved in the discussions.
Guests were entertained by traditional music groups that performed popular traditional dances – Akongo and Ajosi.
Alupo, a retired army lieutenant, also used the function to celebrate her appointment as the education minister. A number of UPDF officers attended the colourful ceremony. State minister Christine Hellen Amongin Aporu, who acted as the ‘Senga’ (aunt) for Alupo, said she (Alupo) had taken long searching for ‘Mister Right’.
Alupo’s father, George William Epel, who was a primary school head teacher, was killed in 2003 by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels.
Only her mother, Bernadette Epel, is still alive and was given unspecified gifts in a suitcase.
The function, which was earlier scheduled to kick off at 12:00pm, started at 3:00pm with prayers led by Rev. Fr. John Peter Maheishe.
As is the norm, an identification parade was conducted where the groom identified his bride from a group of women and the bride confirmed that she knew the groom.
Thereafter, the groom placed an envelope on a table for the bride to pick as proof that she had accepted the man before her relatives.
However, Aporu returned the envelope on establishing that it contained sh2m.
Tukashaba and his entourage added another sh3m as the in-laws and other guests applauded.
Elders from both sides then moved aside to agree on the bride price.
One of the elders told New Vision that the in-laws agreed to pay sh62m as bride price.
Part of the money was paid immediately.
New Vision also learnt from the family that Alupo’s husband had already given a number of cows and goats to the family.
Alupo and her husband later exchanged rings under the guidance of Fr. Wasiwasi Ngonzanga Ongereny.
“The journey has been long, but we have landed safely. Now I give this ring to you as a sign of love,†remarked Tukashaba.
“Innocent, I want to thank you for choosing me among thousands of women. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I promise to love you pakalast,†Alupo replied amidst applause by the guests.
Alupo’s husband is from the Abachimbiri clan and originates from Karukoba village, Ntarabana parish, Buhara sub-county, Ndorwa East county in Kabale district.
The high profile traditional ceremony attracted several ministers and MPs from Teso and other parts of the country.
The couple is scheduled to wed on Saturday at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala.
Archbishop emeritus Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala is expected to preside over the marriage and the couple will host a reception at Speke Resort, Munyonyo.