A match started at school and sealed at church

Betty Katushabe, a nurse at Cyota and Robert Ssemaganda, the operations manager at Integrated Security Solutions, tied the knot on April 30, 2016. Courtesy photo

What you need to know:

  • TO HAVE AND TO HOLD: Betty Katushabe, a nurse at Cyota and Robert Ssemaganda, the operations manager at Integrated Security Solutions, tied the knot on April 30, 2016. The two shared their story with Beatrice Nakibuuka.

When and how did you meet?
Katushabe: I met Ssemaganda in 2008 at Daystar Christian Base Secondary School in Hoima. He was two classes ahead of me. We never used to talk that much but became close in 2010 during my Senior Six vacation.
Ssemaganda: After I had left school, we met four years later at church. I had always wanted her and during that time I officially told her of my intentions.

Did she accept?
She was a bit hesitant but we continued talking until when she started opening up.

What do you find special about each other?
Katushabe
He has a good character, God fearing, loving and welcoming.
Ssemaganda
I think we were made for each other. God planned our destiny but above all, she is a beautiful, caring and loving woman.

When did he propose?
Katushabe
He proposed about three years ago but I did not believe him that time. I had not been so close to men; I did not know there was someone who would genuinely love me.

Why would you not believe?
As I told you I was not close to men. So, I always had this uncertain feeling about men.
What was your budget like and how did you raise the funds?
Ssemaganda
It was Shs20m but we had half of it. The rest of the money was mobilised from family members, friends and meetings.

Did you involve a planner?
Katushabe
We did not because we wanted to cut costs. We did most of the planning by ourselves but with guidance from friends and family.

How did you come up with the guest list?
Katushabe
We considered our relatives and friends first. They had stood with us throughout. We had planned for 300 guests but at the last minute, we let other people attend.

What was the eve of your wedding like?
It was a resting day for both of us because we had been worn out by the previous day’s activities. However, I later went to the salon for a simple hairdo.

Did anything about the weeding disappoint you?
Katushabe
I expected to have my wedding dress at the day of my introduction but I received it on the evening before my wedding.

What was your happiest moment?
Katushabe
It was the time we were in church and he took his vow. I was speechless and could not believe he was finally my husband.

Did you borrow any money
Ssemaganda
No, we did not borrow anything.

How about debts? Did you have any after the wedding?
We had not paid the photography and food but we cleared them immediately.
We cleared all service providers after a week to the wedding. We also cut back on some costs because we excluded all luxuries and used the same venue for church and the reception.

Where did you buy the ring from?
It was a shop at Cham Towers (cannot remember the name).

What was on your mind during the ceremony?
Ssemaganda
I was worried about the church service. I thought she would be late because I arrived before her and 20 minutes later, she had not arrived. But she later arrived and I was overjoyed.

Did you go for premarital counselling and what lessons did you learn?
Katushabe
Yes we did. One thing I learnt, is when you become a couple, you must do things together not to be disappointed.
Ssemaganda
I was advised to always be patient because I was not marrying an angel.

What would you advise those planning to wed?
Katushabe
Not all men can make husbands. Learn to trust and pray to God to help you find a partner that is worth your time.
You must therefore be very patient because many will come and go.
Ssemaganda
When you get a good partner, you should not have second thoughts.

Do you believe in sex before marriage?
Ssemaganda
No, I don’t. Sex is a gift from God and should be respected and enjoyed by only married people.
We managed to keep ourselves pure by keeping a distance given that her work place is quite far.

DETAILS
Date: April 30, 2016
Groom: Robert Ssemaganda
Bride: Betty Katushabe
Church: Hoima Christian Fellowship Church
Reception: Hoima Christian Fellowship Gardens
Guests: 300
Budget: 20m

THE DETAILS

Attire
The couple got the gown from David’s Bridal Centre at Mapeera House. Whereas the groom, the groomsmen and the maids made their attire from a shop in Kiyembe. They had a particular fashion they wanted, took measurements and they were made.

Theme colour
The couple chose purple, blue and black blend as their theme colours.

Cake
A friend offered to bake the cake for the couple at Shs700,000. It was a 10- tier white cake decorated with purple flowers to suit their theme colours.

The high table

The couple sat in a white chair with a well decorated high table. They sat side-by-side with the best man and bridesmaid.

Play time

The couple took off time to play cheeky games as they also had a photo shoot at Hoima Christian Fellowship Gardens where they had the reception.

Photo moment

It was time for the photo shoot as the bridal entourage took different positions to document one of their lifetime moments.