She took seven months to accept my proposal

How did you meet?
Ronald: I had her number, so it was not hard for me when I thought of getting a marriage partner. I called her up and opened up about my intentions for our meeting. Specioza turned down my invitations for dates, I persisted and God made it happen.

What sparked off your love?
Ronald: I thought it was time for me to have someone close and it was none other than Specioza. I always believe in my gut. Dismissing me on phone somehow disappointed me because I always put in time to prepare. It took me seven months to get a positive response from her.

Specioza, why did you doubt such a friend?
Specioza: I could not believe a friend telling me about being their marriage partner. It sounded like a joke. However, I gave myself seven months to critically think about it since it had never crossed my mind.

Then?
Specioza: I accepted because his constant calls and text messages sent won my heart. They proved his level of seriousness.

When did you propose?
Ronald: On May 21, 2011, I promised to marry her but we did not do much because I had just completed school. Although I was mentally ready, my salary was not enough to cater for a family. I could not stand to see my family struggling after our wedding.

What was her reaction to your proposal?
Ronald: Spe froze and seemed disheartened. Then asked me why I had lied to her, she expressed her fears such as the possibility of dropping her for another woman. However, I convinced her and continuously communicated to keep the promise.

How did you overcome challenges in the process of waiting?
Specioza: Although we kept in touch, there were men that approached me with the same intentions. One man who used to work in South Africa tried hard to woo me but because my heart and mind were stuck somewhere else, I avoided disappointing the man that had made a serious proposal.
Ronald: I knew such challenges would come up but I engaged her with 24/7 sweet messages. She introduced me to her family (kwanjula) in October 2013. Being Born-Again Christians, we could not move in before the wedding. This helped me to “reorganise” myself for the big day.

When then did you wed?
Ronald: On June 5, 2015 at Kansanga Miracle Centre. Pastor Andrew Ssenyonga presided over it. We had our reception at KK Beach, Ggaba and we used a boat to get there.

How many guests attended?

Ronald: About 750 including renowned politicians such as FDC party president, Dr Kizza Besigye, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Ingrid Turinawe and Moses Kasibante.

How did their presence affect the function?
Ronald: Their presence gave it more honours because people still ask me about how I was able to have such people.

What was the most interesting moment?
Ronald: People turned up in big numbers and they had enough to feed on, that made me happy.
Specioza: I was thrilled seeing people cheering us on and the fact that my parents made it on time.

How much did the wedding cost?
Ronald: It cost about Shs80m, but credit goes to my friends who stood by me. I received so many offers worth millions of shillings thus changing initial plan of spending Shs18m to Shs80m.

What about the wedding cake?
Ronald: Our main cake which had 22 tiers and we had a cake on each of the 50 guest tables. It cost Shs6m.

What was your colour theme?
Specioza: We used torquoise it is so beautiful and it also blended well with the rest of the colours that I chose.

What rings did you use?
Ronald: We settled for gold rings which cost Shs100,000 each from Divine Bridals.

How many cars comprised your convoy?
Ronald: We had four silver Mercedes Benzes E-Class. Friends offered two and the other two were hired at Shs200,000 each.

How much did your attire cost?
Ronald: My suit cost Shs1.2m, and shoes Shs120,000.

Who was on your entourage?

Ronald: My best man was Paul Kiyimba because he is my good friend. I could not stand the stress that comes with groomsmen.

How much did the gown cost?
Specioza: I wore an off-white gown that I hired at Shs1.5m from Divine Bridals at JBK Plaza, Luwum Street. I used a turquoise piece with kitengi as my changing dress, it cost Shs400,000. And my two pairs of shoes cost Shs100,000 each, jewellery went for Shs100,000 while salon touch cost Shs800,000.

Why kitengi as your changing outfit?
Specioza: I wanted to look more African and also appear unique from other brides.

How many bridesmaids did you have?
Specioza: The maid-of-honour, four bridesmaids and a flower girl.

Did you have any fears on that day?
Ronald: Being an outdoor function; I feared it would rain and disorganise my guests. I was also wondering whether my guests would love whatever the function offered, right from decoration to food.
Specioza: I was scared of how my friends would interpret my wedding.

Were there any disappointments?
Ronald: One was my friends did not make it yet we had prepared a song together for my guests. I also did not like the unknown singers who took part yet I had already paid other artistes.
Specioza: I remember one of the maids arrived late even after we had agreed on the time and where to meet, she found us in church. Then, my friend who missed he wedding because I forgot to inform her of the late changes.

What challenges did you face during the preparations?
Ronald: When I discovered three weeks to the wedding that the reception venue I had earlier booked had been hired out to another couple. I got messed up because we had already distributed invitation cards. I had to pay for another venue and had to make a quick communication about the changes which meant incurring an extra cost.
Specioza: Nothing much apart from finances, many pledged but never fulfilled the pledges.

Did you go for premarital counselling?
Ronald: Yes, we had three months of counselling where I learnt to be more hardworking to make my family happy, to love and cherish my wife and be welcoming.
Specioza: I was told about being creative in all I do, be caring and to love my husband unconditionally.

Given a chance to re-wed, what would you change?

Ronald: Apart from honeymoon that I missed last time, there is nothing I would change.
Specioza: Nothing, everything was wonderful.

What is your piece of advice to the young couples?
Ronald: Love your wife and always fulfill any promise made to her, this will enhance the trust.
Specioza: Always be patient.

THE DETAILS
dignitaries

Former FDC presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago are the high profile guests who attended the Galiwangos wedding.

photography

The couple love nature, they had a photo shoot on the rocky roads of Muyenga and others on the boat that cruised them to the reception.

surprise

Ronald surprised his bride when he filmed a selfie -video of them. He wanted to relive the day’s memories and show off his professionalism.

bonding

Most couples opt for limousines to transport them with their entourage to the wedding reception. The Galiwangos preferred cruising by boat to enhance their romantic moments and bond better.

plan B

Ronald had booked a reception venue but three weeks to his wedding, he found that someone else had hired it. This called for last minute options and KK Beach was readily available at an extra cost.

workmates

It is always everyone’s wish to have their colleagues attend their once-in-a-life time event. Ronald invited his workmates from NTV Uganda who did not disappoint. This shows how social he is.

The deal
Date: June 5, 2015
Groom: Ronald Galiwango
Best man: Paul Kiyimba
Bride: Specioza Nakafuuma
Church: Kansanga Miracle Centre
Reception: KK beach in Ggaba
Cake: Shs6m
Rings: Shs200,000
Decor: Shs 3m
Guests: 750
Budget: Shs80m