Mystery date: Jonan and Juliet
Mar 27, 2009
I was already seated when she arrived, smiling. She ordered for juice as I went for soda. The menu was so long that I found it difficult to make a choice. I let her choose first and she went for goat meat and rice. I chose goat meat and chips.
Jonan Nangumya
I was already seated when she arrived, smiling. She ordered for juice as I went for soda. The menu was so long that I found it difficult to make a choice. I let her choose first and she went for goat meat and rice. I chose goat meat and chips.
We were given some magazines and she seemed more interested in them and conversation was difficult. When she asked for my occupation and residence, I told her I would not tell her again because I had already done it. She immediately apologised, closed the magazine and we started afresh.
I first tricked her by saying I am a Mutwa. She did not know anything about Batwa and I explained to her that they are the shortest people. She laughed because I am a tall guy. I told her my tribe but she could not believe it either.
We took a walk around the gardens as we chatted. I told her of a friend I asked about two weeks ago if she would marry me. The lady told me she was not able to give me the response immediately. I told Juliet I usually tease female friends that way to gauge their attitude towards me. I told her I would only get into it for marriage.
At about 8:30pm, we left together. That night, she sent me an SMS, saying she had a great time. I also told her I enjoyed her company.
What do you consider before dating?
Her beauty, family background and education.
Why ask ladies to marry you yet you are not serious?
I just want to know what their intention for being close to me is. Sometimes a lady can be very nice to me; she books a seat for me in the lecture room, helps me with her notes and I ask myself, “Is she interested in me?â€
Has any ever said ‘yes’?
Yes, two of them did but I just gave them a distance afterwards.
How did you like your date?
She was my dream date. I got exactly what I wanted.
Juliet Akitenge
Jonan was exactly the kind of person I wanted; I was impressed. He welcomed me as though we were friends before – he did it in such a way that I felt at home.
After the pleasantries, he told me he was so quiet during childhood that his grandmother used to say he would end up being a police officer or a soldier.
I did not tell him much about myself because he was doing much of the talking. However, when the waitress served our dinner, he straight away got hold of it without saying a prayer. He said he was once a Born -again and was considering becoming a pastor after Senior Six.
He said he used to preach in church and would lead prayers each time they began lectures. His image, however, was ruined when he started plaiting hair in his second year at the university and his colleagues stopped taking him seriously. Even after he cut off his hair, the image never changed.
He said he would only date a lady for between six months and a year before marrying her because long courtships are a disappointment.
How was the experience?
We generally had fun.
How long should people date before marriage?
Born-again Christians date for between six to twelve months and after getting familiar with a person, we marry. Long courtships create problems.
What problems?
Cheating can easily come in. You get tired of your fiancée and say, “I don’t have a future with this fellow...let me get someone else.â€
Some ladies say Born-again men are slow to propose...
That is not true. Most of them propose and take about a year or less as they find money for the wedding. No man can propose when he is not ready for marriage.
What do you find attractive about him?
He is handsome and has beautiful sideburns. He made me feel comfortable.
Interview by Ben Okiror
I was already seated when she arrived, smiling. She ordered for juice as I went for soda. The menu was so long that I found it difficult to make a choice. I let her choose first and she went for goat meat and rice. I chose goat meat and chips.
We were given some magazines and she seemed more interested in them and conversation was difficult. When she asked for my occupation and residence, I told her I would not tell her again because I had already done it. She immediately apologised, closed the magazine and we started afresh.
I first tricked her by saying I am a Mutwa. She did not know anything about Batwa and I explained to her that they are the shortest people. She laughed because I am a tall guy. I told her my tribe but she could not believe it either.
We took a walk around the gardens as we chatted. I told her of a friend I asked about two weeks ago if she would marry me. The lady told me she was not able to give me the response immediately. I told Juliet I usually tease female friends that way to gauge their attitude towards me. I told her I would only get into it for marriage.
At about 8:30pm, we left together. That night, she sent me an SMS, saying she had a great time. I also told her I enjoyed her company.
What do you consider before dating?
Her beauty, family background and education.
Why ask ladies to marry you yet you are not serious?
I just want to know what their intention for being close to me is. Sometimes a lady can be very nice to me; she books a seat for me in the lecture room, helps me with her notes and I ask myself, “Is she interested in me?â€
Has any ever said ‘yes’?
Yes, two of them did but I just gave them a distance afterwards.
How did you like your date?
She was my dream date. I got exactly what I wanted.
Juliet Akitenge
Jonan was exactly the kind of person I wanted; I was impressed. He welcomed me as though we were friends before – he did it in such a way that I felt at home.
After the pleasantries, he told me he was so quiet during childhood that his grandmother used to say he would end up being a police officer or a soldier.
I did not tell him much about myself because he was doing much of the talking. However, when the waitress served our dinner, he straight away got hold of it without saying a prayer. He said he was once a Born -again and was considering becoming a pastor after Senior Six.
He said he used to preach in church and would lead prayers each time they began lectures. His image, however, was ruined when he started plaiting hair in his second year at the university and his colleagues stopped taking him seriously. Even after he cut off his hair, the image never changed.
He said he would only date a lady for between six months and a year before marrying her because long courtships are a disappointment.
How was the experience?
We generally had fun.
How long should people date before marriage?
Born-again Christians date for between six to twelve months and after getting familiar with a person, we marry. Long courtships create problems.
What problems?
Cheating can easily come in. You get tired of your fiancée and say, “I don’t have a future with this fellow...let me get someone else.â€
Some ladies say Born-again men are slow to propose...
That is not true. Most of them propose and take about a year or less as they find money for the wedding. No man can propose when he is not ready for marriage.
What do you find attractive about him?
He is handsome and has beautiful sideburns. He made me feel comfortable.
Interview by Ben Okiror