Daughter wins lavish wedding for parents

Mr and Mrs Ssekitto after wedding at the reception venue. Photo by Joseph Kato

With her well-articulated reasons and her good mobilisation tactics, she gathered majority votes among other 800 competitors thus landing an all-catered for wedding party for her parents.

Joseph Kato attended the Florence Nakiganda and David Ssekitto’s wedding last Saturday and later caught up with them at their home in Nansana, Wakiso District where they shared the joy of receiving a holy (church) marriage something they had been yearning for close to three decades.

When and how did you meet?
David: I met Florence in 1987. At the time, I was a student and a tenant at her mother’s house in Luwafu, Makindye Division.
Florence: And, I was in Primary Seven vacation.
How did the chemistry start?
David: We were close friends for a long time. Our friendship in the due course transitioned into a relationship that we are celebrating today.
Florence: Our relationship was gradual. We were friends who little knew that one time we would be husband and wife. If it were a race, our relationship grew from crawling.
What attracted you to each other?
David: Florence’s generosity and respect for others. When someone understands and respects your ambitions, what else would you be looking for in a partner?
Florence: David is irresistibly handsome and has always been kind. I remember how he would carry me on his back at Kololo High School. He would also give me a lift on his bicycle after classes.

How long did your courtship last?
David: We spent so much time together while I was renting at her mum’s house. I saw how she behaved around her family and other people. Her family was nice to me. I knew she would become my lifetime partner.
Florence: We were not like children of today who rush things. Despite us being very close and meeting very often, we never did any evil thing.

When did you make your intentions known to her?
David: I sent her a letter using Yellow Pages. I told her I could not fight my feelings for her.
Florence: I was at Lady Irene College in Ndejje, Wakiso District when he sent me a letter.

What her response to this?
David: Florence did not reply to me. I waited for long and I thought she did not feel the same way as I did. I felt embarrassed.
Florence: I was not into writing. Even then, I believe in saying anything to a person’s face. I waited until college break and I agreed to be with him.

How did you break the news to your parents
David: It was not long before I told my mum about it and I think she also suspected something was going on between us.
Florence: I’m quite secretive. Friends thought David was my brother until I fell pregnant.

When did you start living together?
Florence: In 1994, his mother was sick and when i went to see him, i didn’t return home.

When and where did you finally walk the aisle?
David: At Martyrs’ Church, Katwe. It was a dream come true. We are grateful to our daughter who brought us this golden opportunity.
Florence: Thanks to our sponsors.

How did you feel at church?
David: A lot was going through my mind when we waited for over an hour for my bride to arrive at church. I was wondering whether she had changed her mind.
Florence: I felt like heaven was a stone’s throw away when they played Great Is Thy Faithfulness as I walked down the aisle.

What are the most memorable?
David: When we were walking to the reception grounds. It was magnificent and beautiful. I could hardly believe what I was seeing.
Florence: When I failed to give my speech because I was too emotional. I had rehearsed it several times but at that moment, I could not say as I had wished. The entire event is unforgettable and it was all so interesting. Just when you thought this is the most interesting, something else hit you and that was beautiful surprises.
How many guests were invited ?
Florence: Our sponsors allowed us 300 guests; 100 slots for relatives, theother 100 for children and their friends. Capital FM also invited their partners and friends.

What was your budget?
David: Capital FM and their partners handled that.

Did anything go wrong in your preparations?
David: None that I know of.
Florence: If anything went wrong, those who prepared for us must have kept it from us.
Did you have a wedding planner?
David: I guess capital FM did all the planning. We did have wedding planners.
Florence: Our daughter Hilda worked with Capital FM and several people advising and supporting her. They chose the colour theme, cake flavour and did everything on our behalf.

Did you think a church wedding was necessary?
David: Yes, we are Christians and there is nothing that gives joy like a church wedding. However, we were restrained by the limited funds. We had to save and educate our children. We never had our wedding earlier. We had promised ourselves to wed even at 90 years.

Did you got for marital counselling ?
Florence: Yes, it rotated on patience and forgiveness but this we have learnt over the years.

Where was your honeymoon?
David: We have not had our honeymoon yet but we are going to the Swahili Beach Resort in Mombasa, Kenya. All our honeymoon expenses including air tickets have been catered for by RwandAir, Igongo Hotel and Imara Coffee.
What are the principles of your relationship?
David: Good communication. We talk about things whichever in way they come to us. Openness as well, in this home, anyone can pick up my phone for example. Whoever is closest to it answers the call.

Florence: Friendship, my husband is my best friend and that’s how we deal with all situations, as friends. Our children are also involved in our friendship, much as we are family, we are also friends.
What is your advice to those intending to get married?
David: Don’t rush something that will last a lifetime. Take time to appreciate and understand each other.
Florence: Build a relationship because that is what holds when things get tough.

Details
Date: August 16, 2016
Bride: Florence Nakiganda
Groom: David Ssekitto Kasiwukira
Best man. Kiirya Herbert
Matron: Jennifer Ssabwe
Church: Martyrs Church, Katwe
Reception: Grace Gardens, Lubowa
Guests: 300

Entertainment
At most weddings, traditional dance groups tend to add the cultural touch to the function, however, the Ssekittos had the chance to host Singer Remah Namakula for a trendy touch of the day.

Cake
Initially, the family wanted a mixed flavour cake but friends advised and La Patisserie baked a six-tier lemon jam cake.

Ticket
The couple won a RwandAir air ticket to Swahili Beach Resort as part of the promotion their daughter won. How much more romantic would the couple want their honeymoon to be?

Maids
Winnie Edith Nakiganda, Christine Najjemba, Ritah Kitiibwa
Suzan Namukasa, nieces of the couple were the bridesmaids. They wore mint green chiffon dresses with lacy bodice and nude heels. Their hairstyles matched their face shapes.

Rides
The Range Rovers are classy and comfortable. On such a day of surprises the Ssekittos rode comfortably to the church and reception venue. They also had a limousine to deal with space economy.

Décor
Hilda, her cousins and aunt brainstormed the decor. Silver and white with a touch of orange befitted Grace Gardens Lubowa for the reception. The glass vases on the different tables for centrepieces made the venue romantic.