First couple: Fruits of the big one
Ronald and Dorothy Lubega, 27, were the ‘first couple’ to benefit from Pastor Michael Kyazze’s vision of the Big One, a mass wedding that brought together 49 couples at Omega Healing Centre in 2004. They talked to Sebidde Kiryowa
Question: Why are you referred to as the ‘first couple’?
ANSWER: We were the first couple to sign up and coming together unlike other couples who were already co-habiting.
During the wedding, we were the first to exchange our vows and led the way all through.
How did you wind up in the Big One?
Ronald: Dorothy was my fiancée and we were set to go for kwanjula (introduction) in 2005. But when the opportunity came up, we didn’t want to lose it. Most importantly, I was a worship leader in church and this meant that I would encourage a lot of young people.
Dorothy: We also knew that if we missed a wedding of this magnitude to which the church had contributed, it would be hard to justify why we were going back a year later to ask for contributions from the same congregation.
So, did you have the skip your kwanjula then?
Dorothy: No. We introduced, but about a month before the wedding.
Ronald: In fact, that kwanjula was a walk over because the church was eager to help us. Even the pastor was supportive arguing that since I’d cancelled my kwanjula plans to support his vision of Big One, it was only fair he did everything in his power to help me.
What did you think about being part of the Big One?
Ronald: I loved her so much that walking down the aisle with her was all I wanted. Nothing else mattered.
Dorothy: I was hesitant at first because the function had been viewed as a chance for people who had been co-habiting to make their lives right. I didn’t want to be branded a co-habitor. However, after the pastor explained it all, I understood and went along.
You we not bothered getting married with all those people?
Dorothy: Ours was different. Being the first to do everything, we never really felt like we had to wait around.
Ronald: When we saw the sheer splendour of the function — the glamour and glory, any trace of regrets disappeared. We (the grooms) were picked up in two long limousines from the church offices to the church premises. The ladies were driven around too. There were so many people. It was such an unforgettable day.
What did your families say about your involvement in the Big One?
Ronald: At the beginning, my family had a negative, discouraging attitude. Even when I discussed the kwanjula with them, they thought I could not support myself ably because I had just completed school. So, I never really told them about the Big one until after the kwanjula.
Dorothy: I told my sister whom I lived with about the wedding. She was okay with it.
As for my parents, I let her do the talking. From her feedback, I heard that some were concerned about the mass wedding. However, the biggest concern were the costs of the wedding which they complained was too close to the kwanjula, but after explaining they were okay with it.
Did you sense any stigma as newly weds from people who might have thought a lowly thing to get married in a mass wedding?
Ronald: On the contrary, people have been reminding us of how we ‘stole the show’ that day.
Any regrets thus far?
Ronald: Apart from the ordinary challenges of marriage, none-whatsoever! We have made a lot of progress since we got married. It was a financially smart thing to do. In two years, we have saved up enough to construct premises of our own. We rented then. We are landlords now. The lord has since blessed us with a daughter, Precious.
Would you do this if you had the chance?
Dorothy: Absolutely!
ANSWER: We were the first couple to sign up and coming together unlike other couples who were already co-habiting.
During the wedding, we were the first to exchange our vows and led the way all through.
How did you wind up in the Big One?
Ronald: Dorothy was my fiancée and we were set to go for kwanjula (introduction) in 2005. But when the opportunity came up, we didn’t want to lose it. Most importantly, I was a worship leader in church and this meant that I would encourage a lot of young people.
Dorothy: We also knew that if we missed a wedding of this magnitude to which the church had contributed, it would be hard to justify why we were going back a year later to ask for contributions from the same congregation.
So, did you have the skip your kwanjula then?
Dorothy: No. We introduced, but about a month before the wedding.
Ronald: In fact, that kwanjula was a walk over because the church was eager to help us. Even the pastor was supportive arguing that since I’d cancelled my kwanjula plans to support his vision of Big One, it was only fair he did everything in his power to help me.
What did you think about being part of the Big One?
Ronald: I loved her so much that walking down the aisle with her was all I wanted. Nothing else mattered.
Dorothy: I was hesitant at first because the function had been viewed as a chance for people who had been co-habiting to make their lives right. I didn’t want to be branded a co-habitor. However, after the pastor explained it all, I understood and went along.
You we not bothered getting married with all those people?
Dorothy: Ours was different. Being the first to do everything, we never really felt like we had to wait around.
Ronald: When we saw the sheer splendour of the function — the glamour and glory, any trace of regrets disappeared. We (the grooms) were picked up in two long limousines from the church offices to the church premises. The ladies were driven around too. There were so many people. It was such an unforgettable day.
What did your families say about your involvement in the Big One?
Ronald: At the beginning, my family had a negative, discouraging attitude. Even when I discussed the kwanjula with them, they thought I could not support myself ably because I had just completed school. So, I never really told them about the Big one until after the kwanjula.
Dorothy: I told my sister whom I lived with about the wedding. She was okay with it.
As for my parents, I let her do the talking. From her feedback, I heard that some were concerned about the mass wedding. However, the biggest concern were the costs of the wedding which they complained was too close to the kwanjula, but after explaining they were okay with it.
Did you sense any stigma as newly weds from people who might have thought a lowly thing to get married in a mass wedding?
Ronald: On the contrary, people have been reminding us of how we ‘stole the show’ that day.
Any regrets thus far?
Ronald: Apart from the ordinary challenges of marriage, none-whatsoever! We have made a lot of progress since we got married. It was a financially smart thing to do. In two years, we have saved up enough to construct premises of our own. We rented then. We are landlords now. The lord has since blessed us with a daughter, Precious.
Would you do this if you had the chance?
Dorothy: Absolutely!