We have not shared a bed for 58 years

Jul 24, 2012

MARRIED couples are expected to share the same bed their entire life, but this is not so for Eriya and Agnes Begumisa who have been married for 75 years.

They shared a bed for only 17 years and have abstained from sex for the past 58 years.

“I was born with syphilis and the doctor advised us not to engage into sex because my wife would also contract it.

I sought medical treatment, but did not recover. We separated beds in 1954 and abstained from sex. We have kept it a secret from our children and friends to date,” Eriya mentions.

Agnes says she endured her husband’s sickness to keep their marriage alive. “I could not betray him because we exchanged marriage vows to love each other and stay together until death separates us,” she says.

“Our love is real. We get up in the morning, greet each other, pray to God for the good health and cuddle as we go for breakfast. This is what has kept our marriage strong regardless of the challenges.

“We thank God for making us what we are. We got saved in 1936 and we are still walking in the light of God.

Other married couples should emulate us. Men desist from mistreating their wives, alcohol and sex outside marriage,” Eriya adds.

Agnes says her husband has never slapped her. “We don’t discuss our issues in public, but we share it inside our room and apologise for any wrongdoing,” Agnes adds.

Eriya, 102, and Agnes, 98, residents of Rwenjeru, Biharwe sub-county in Mbarara district wedded on February 16, 1937 at Kinoni Church of Uganda and were blessed with eight children, five of whom have since passed on.

Their marriage was challenging, especially because there was no cordial relationship between the Eriya’s family and his wife among others, but they overcame them because of being saved and through prayers.

Eriya and his bestman walked for about 20km from Kinoni Church where they wedded, while the bride was carried on the stretcher locally known as engozi to Bugamba.

Eriya recalls that the couple met in Ruharo. Agnes was in her elementary vernacular school, while Eriya was a student in a college at the same hill of Ruharo.

“Eriya proposed to me and I accepted. However, my mother-in-law did not want him to marry saying I was too short for her son, but Eriya insisted on marrying me. We prayed and succeeded,” Agnes says.

“Though we got married, my mother in-law did not love me. She mistreated and despised me, but God blessed us with eight children though fi ve passed on,” she adds.