Age difference has kept us together
Jun 15, 2007
Winkle Rutamirika was once a household name in Western Uganda. His stage/video plays still have a great influence over his fans. Rutamirika is currently filming a play with Abafrika and Kitara Dramactors. He is married to Christine.
RUTAMIRIKA
Winkle Rutamirika was once a household name in Western Uganda. His stage/video plays still have a great influence over his fans. Rutamirika is currently filming a play with Abafrika and Kitara Dramactors. He is married to Christine. Pidson Kareire talked to them
What does your name Rutamirika mean?
Actually, it is a stage name. My actual name is Winkle Karitundu. Rutamirika means something you cannot swallow. That was a character I acted. Rutamirika was an orphan who became a destitute. He virtually lost all his relatives but eventually survived by befriending a daughter of a very rich Mukiga man, Migonno. To marry Migonno’s daughter, he had to solve a riddle, which many people had failed. Migonno had to keep his word and let the poor man marry his only daughter – Kabahimba and consequently, inherit his estate.
Is this any similar to your real life experience?
(Laughs) No. The only similarity is that I am an orphan, but I was not a destitute.
Was it easy to propose to Christine then?
It was not difficult. Convincing her was easy because she had fallen for my jokes. The only problem was that she is a Muhima and I am a Mwiru. Harmonising the two was difficult and convincing her parents was another big problem. When I had made headway, the bride price became another problem. I expected to give two cows to her parents but was asked for 12. She actually eloped and by the time her parents realised it, we were already close. This saved me from meeting many unnecessary customs.
Have you been assimilated into the Hima behaviour of boasting?
I don’t think I need to be assimilated into any culture. We exist as man and woman, not as Mwiru and Muhima. We are even more happily married than other couples from the same tribe.
You are most known for your humour. Does your wife laugh most of the time?
I used to make her laugh all the time, but now she is used to my jokes. Man, 16 years in marriage is too long for somebody to still fall for your jokes. But humour is part of my life.
In Rutamirika, you were a houseboy who shared a girlfriend with the boss. Would you do it now in real life?
I don’t think I can do that, it is demeaning.
What would make you slap her?
I think if she abandoned me. I would do it out of frustration – just to remind her that I love her so much, but not to hurt her.
What has kept you together up to today?
It is the age difference. I married her when I was 10 years older than her. So, most of the time, I acted as her advisor and played the role of her aunt.
Do you discuss financial investments?
Yes. We even have joint businesses like Perryman’s Inn in Old Kampala and Club Texas in Nsambya. My principle is not to hide anything from her because I have noticed that people who hide lose a lot when death occurs abruptly. If you hide, it means you either have other women or you are planning to have more wives.
Most men believe one woman is a liability. Is that true?
It depends on the level of love. If she is mean with her love and care, then a man may seek solace elsewhere and actually, many men get married to bars in search of such happiness.
In the 1990s, you enjoyed popularity. What happened in the years that followed?
I broke off a bit from stage acting when I got a job with Uganda Airlines Corporation. But that never stopped me from writing and directing plays.
After the closure of the corporation, I resumed acting.
Do you have challenges in life?
Being the first boy of my parents, I have had to look after my brothers and sisters.
CHRISTINE
How did you meet Rutamirika?
I was a student at Kabale Secondary School. We used to go in a group of girls to watch their plays at White Horse Inn. The plays were popular. I later became a regular to their plays and a friend to him. Since Rutamirika was also a teacher, he sometimes would coach me. He helped me learn mathematics.
So it was not his humour that melted your heart?
Why not? I used to go out of school to watch him acting. He was so humourous and every girl wished to spend some time with him. I think, his jokes played a big role; but his personality was also convincing. He is cool-headed and tolerant.
What was his very first gift to you?
A white handkerchief.
And how many letters did he write to you?
Many. As soon as we discovered we were in love, he started writing every week.
Did you ever lock him out in mosquitoes?
I was staying in town, there were no mosquitoes. But if it is about disappointment, I only disappointed him once when we agreed to begin staying together but changed my mind at the last minute.
He had organised a big party with close friends and relatives; he almost dropped dead. A week later, I sorted myself out and joined him. There was no party, but he forgave me.
Was it easy to get together?
My parents. I had to first convince them because I was a student. When they refused, I eloped; they accepted our relationship later after so many meetings with other relatives.
Is there anything you hate about your in-laws?
They are my parents and, if anything, I should be thanking them for giving birth to a good husband.
What virtues have you taught your children?
I always tell them to be patient, honest and fear God.
What guides your marriage?
I trust in God. God is able.
Between man and woman who is likely to cause a problem at home?
We all bear the blame. Men always blame women, but at times the problem is caused by men; especially when they get more money.
Winkle Rutamirika was once a household name in Western Uganda. His stage/video plays still have a great influence over his fans. Rutamirika is currently filming a play with Abafrika and Kitara Dramactors. He is married to Christine. Pidson Kareire talked to them
What does your name Rutamirika mean?
Actually, it is a stage name. My actual name is Winkle Karitundu. Rutamirika means something you cannot swallow. That was a character I acted. Rutamirika was an orphan who became a destitute. He virtually lost all his relatives but eventually survived by befriending a daughter of a very rich Mukiga man, Migonno. To marry Migonno’s daughter, he had to solve a riddle, which many people had failed. Migonno had to keep his word and let the poor man marry his only daughter – Kabahimba and consequently, inherit his estate.
Is this any similar to your real life experience?
(Laughs) No. The only similarity is that I am an orphan, but I was not a destitute.
Was it easy to propose to Christine then?
It was not difficult. Convincing her was easy because she had fallen for my jokes. The only problem was that she is a Muhima and I am a Mwiru. Harmonising the two was difficult and convincing her parents was another big problem. When I had made headway, the bride price became another problem. I expected to give two cows to her parents but was asked for 12. She actually eloped and by the time her parents realised it, we were already close. This saved me from meeting many unnecessary customs.
Have you been assimilated into the Hima behaviour of boasting?
I don’t think I need to be assimilated into any culture. We exist as man and woman, not as Mwiru and Muhima. We are even more happily married than other couples from the same tribe.
You are most known for your humour. Does your wife laugh most of the time?
I used to make her laugh all the time, but now she is used to my jokes. Man, 16 years in marriage is too long for somebody to still fall for your jokes. But humour is part of my life.
In Rutamirika, you were a houseboy who shared a girlfriend with the boss. Would you do it now in real life?
I don’t think I can do that, it is demeaning.
What would make you slap her?
I think if she abandoned me. I would do it out of frustration – just to remind her that I love her so much, but not to hurt her.
What has kept you together up to today?
It is the age difference. I married her when I was 10 years older than her. So, most of the time, I acted as her advisor and played the role of her aunt.
Do you discuss financial investments?
Yes. We even have joint businesses like Perryman’s Inn in Old Kampala and Club Texas in Nsambya. My principle is not to hide anything from her because I have noticed that people who hide lose a lot when death occurs abruptly. If you hide, it means you either have other women or you are planning to have more wives.
Most men believe one woman is a liability. Is that true?
It depends on the level of love. If she is mean with her love and care, then a man may seek solace elsewhere and actually, many men get married to bars in search of such happiness.
In the 1990s, you enjoyed popularity. What happened in the years that followed?
I broke off a bit from stage acting when I got a job with Uganda Airlines Corporation. But that never stopped me from writing and directing plays.
After the closure of the corporation, I resumed acting.
Do you have challenges in life?
Being the first boy of my parents, I have had to look after my brothers and sisters.
CHRISTINE
How did you meet Rutamirika?
I was a student at Kabale Secondary School. We used to go in a group of girls to watch their plays at White Horse Inn. The plays were popular. I later became a regular to their plays and a friend to him. Since Rutamirika was also a teacher, he sometimes would coach me. He helped me learn mathematics.
So it was not his humour that melted your heart?
Why not? I used to go out of school to watch him acting. He was so humourous and every girl wished to spend some time with him. I think, his jokes played a big role; but his personality was also convincing. He is cool-headed and tolerant.
What was his very first gift to you?
A white handkerchief.
And how many letters did he write to you?
Many. As soon as we discovered we were in love, he started writing every week.
Did you ever lock him out in mosquitoes?
I was staying in town, there were no mosquitoes. But if it is about disappointment, I only disappointed him once when we agreed to begin staying together but changed my mind at the last minute.
He had organised a big party with close friends and relatives; he almost dropped dead. A week later, I sorted myself out and joined him. There was no party, but he forgave me.
Was it easy to get together?
My parents. I had to first convince them because I was a student. When they refused, I eloped; they accepted our relationship later after so many meetings with other relatives.
Is there anything you hate about your in-laws?
They are my parents and, if anything, I should be thanking them for giving birth to a good husband.
What virtues have you taught your children?
I always tell them to be patient, honest and fear God.
What guides your marriage?
I trust in God. God is able.
Between man and woman who is likely to cause a problem at home?
We all bear the blame. Men always blame women, but at times the problem is caused by men; especially when they get more money.