Blind couple celebrates 25 years of marriage

Jan 06, 2014

The scripture; Mark 10:9 says; What God has joined together let no man put asunder! Indeed a happy couple that has never set eyes on each other for 25 years in marriage is testament to this.

  • Love birds blessed with 6 children and 6 grandchildren

By Juliet Lukwago &Hafswa Nankanja

The scripture; Mark 10:9 says; What God has joined together let no man put asunder! Indeed a happy couple that has never set eyes on each other for 25 years in marriage is testament to this.

Daniel, 55 and Juliet Buule 53 renewed their marriage vows on December 14, 2013 amidst ululations and excitement from friends and family at Jinja - Kalooli parish church.

The God-fearing couple blessed with six children and 6 grandchildren renewed vows in a mass that was said by Fr. Richard Kakoma.

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The Buules with some of their children

Speaking to friends and family while addressing the congregation, Juliet said, “God is great! I was born on December, 24, 1962, but went blind when I was 22 years old.

I was taken to Dr. Gwasaze at Mulago who confirmed my worst fears that indeed my sight was impaired.

The news hit me so hard and I cried. I was later taken to a school for the blind in Ssalama - Mukono to learn farming.

While there I met my husband Buule. He was a dance and drama teacher. After my studies however I stayed in Mukono because he had been given a house and that's where the journey of 25 years started.

By the time my parents knew of our relationship we already had a child. They attempted to discourage me but it was too late because I I proved to them my husband was able enough.

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The Buules have never seen each other; but have lived in blissful marriage for 25 years

We spent four years studying each other though I felt bad not having received the holy sacraments. Then we were both choir members of Kisoga parish.

I recall Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga visiting the parish and condemned couples who live as married people when they have not received the holy sacrements. Though there were many of us I felt like it was me he was referring to.

He said: "While others are singing open your hearts Christ has come; others sing close your hearts Christ has come!" It felt like he was ridiculing me.

When he asked those who were ready to be united in holy matrimony we knew this was time for us to legalise our union. He even gave has his two Mercedes Benzes and presided over our matrimony at Nkokonjeru on December 3, 1988.

Only Sam Nikunda among my siblings witnessed the ceremony as the rest were in Rwanda while others were in Bufumbira. It was not easy for them to travel.


Introduction came after wedding

Following the wedding, I introduced my husband to my parents and formalised everything.

God has blessed us with children some of whom are still in school. There is one completing school as a teacher at Kyambogo university while the last born, John Ssemukutu, is 10.

Marriage takes a lot but foremost is love; knowing each other, respecting each other, owning up mistakes, and begging forgiveness.

Our marriage has thrived on honesty, trust, patience and self-belief. We do everything together. Last year we started raring chicken to generate income.

Challenges

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The Buules tending to their chicken

We no longer consider challenges as problems. First of all even if you have sight while at heart you are blind you remain in darkness because you cannot tell good from evil.

Many couples who even have sight do not last more than weeks. They claim they made bad choices as though they were blind!

There are times though we wish we could look at each other and appreciate what we have done for ourselves.

I thank God for bringing us this far

DANIEL BUULE

I was born blind on November, 3, 1958 in Mityana to Joseph Buule of Butega- Busimbi Mityana, and the late Regina Nampiima of Mpeewo.

My parents and the Franciscan nuns took me the school of the blind in Soroti where I studied till primary seven.

After completing in 1973, I went to Iganga Secondary School where I completed my form 6. I then joined Kireka Rehabitation Center where I trained as a telephone operator and typing.

Our marriage has come from far

Finding a lover was real war. First of all my relatives never wished me to marry a blind woman while those of Juliet never wanted me to marry her. It was a tag of war. I was 26 when I met Juliet in my office.

She was one of the many people who used to visit me. Indeed God could have made me blind but I thank Him for giving me a heart that shows me what I want.

The first time Juliet came to my office I knew God had sent me a companion.

I listened to her voice and got goose bumps! She greeted me and I failed to speak. I think she also knew what was happening and during that awkward silence she said: "Let me come back."
 

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