Threats from another woman did not succeed

When and how did you meet?
John Kennedy: One of our closest friends was admitted at hospital and we went to visit her. Before we left, other friends came to check on her. She told one of the visitors to thank me with a hug for being so nice to her. It was such a warm hug, and that is how she introduced Jane Frances to me.

How did you get talking?
John Kennedy: For a long time, I had been trying to get a serious partner but those I came across were my clan mates, or had incompatible qualities. At this point, I ‘shut down’ my feelings because Jane Frances did not seem any different from the people I had met previously.

So, did you talk to her again?
John Kennedy: A few days later, our friend was discharged and I asked her about Jane France’s marital status. “She is already booked,” she replied. This was a big blow because I wanted to hear ‘she is single’. My heart beat for her and after some days, I asked her again. Jokingly she told me to try my luck.

When did you eventually become close?
John Kennedy: It was on February 18, 2017 when I gave Jane Frances a lift. I told her about my single life escapades and she seemed touched. She promised to pray for me so that God answers me in the most suitable way. I took her phone number and always called to remind her to fulfill her pledge.
Jane Frances: I liked Kennedy before he proposed to me. When he shared his unpleasant past, I desired to make him my friend and wanted to ring him regularly. Kennedy’s approach was different from that of other men who had proposed to me before.

What attracted you to each other?
John Kennedy: At first sight she looked cute and when I engaged her in conversation, I discovered a genuine God-fearing woman, mature and understanding with money issues.
Jane Frances: Kennedy is God-fearing man, educated, loving, handsome and mature. He accepted me without strings attached.
How was the proposal, and how did you react?
Jane Frances: On the first date, he proposed adding that if I accepted to marry him, church marriage was guaranteed. I looked in his eyes and kept quiet. After a while, I told him to patiently wait for a reply. I also told him to pray to God for a suitable partner.

Did you go for premarital counselling?
John Kennedy: No, but Jane told me she had done so before we met. I used to read some literature about marriage.
Jane Frances: I went to Choice for Life, a group of godly and happily married people. I learnt never to expect too much from my husband because he will never do everything for me in life. Also, not all men are unfaithful.

How did you raise funds for the functions?
John Kennedy: We had planned for Shs 27.3m. I was determined to begin the journey of Holy matrimony but had no coin on me. I started saving, I informed my relatives, colleagues and friends who welcomed the idea.

Did you involve a wedding planner?
John Kennedy: No, I did it myself and the wedding committee approved it.
What were the most expensive items?
John Keneddy: Video coverage, the gown and decoration.

Who was your matron?
Jane Frances: Resty Namatovu because she brought us together for a catholic marriage. She is devout and I like her style.

How many bridesmaids did you have?
Jane Frances: Five. They included Ruth Nampeera, Josephine Namuddu, Gloria Nassali, and Justine Mirembe. These are my friends and we belong to the same praise and worship team in Masaka. They are uniform in size, height and style.

Who was your bestman?
John Kennedy: Jude Ssenfuka, my friend and old boy from St Paul Kitovu Boy’s Primary School and Blessed Sacrament Secondary School Kimaanya.

How did you choose your groomsmen?
John Kennedy: I considered my friends who are lively. They included Francis Kirinnya, Francis Ssenkandwa, Marius Bukenya, Richard Walakira and Stephen Mukasa.

What were you doing on the eve of your wedding?
John Kennedy: My treasurer and I were buying some pending items.
Jane Frances: My aunts were counselling me, I went for pedicure and manicure then prepared my honeymoon luggage. We also prayed for the success of our function and marriage.

What gown did you wear?
Jane Frances: A Cinderella gown for church and gardens, and for reception I wore a mermaid dress.

What was the most important thing on your wedding?
John Kennedy: Receiving the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa of Masaka diocese presiding over our function.
Time was key because we never wanted to be late for any segment of our programme. The bride and her entourage were at church 40 minutes before mass.
Jane Frances: Besides receiving the holy matrimony, my husband was important to me.
Were you disappointed in any way?
John Kennedy: Yes, the food was not enough for our guests because they turned up in big numbers and the catering service provider left some matooke uncooked.
One of my people pocketed some of the money which was meant to buy extra chairs for our guests, thus some stood throughout the function.
Jane Frances: Some of my would-be diehards never turned up. Unfortunately, my matron’s phone got lost at the reception and she was angry.

Did you have any fears?
John Kennedy: Yes, dealing with people who were not supportive of the idea of our marriage. Also, the avenues of getting money for the introduction and wedding at the same time since they both fell in the same week.
Jane Frances: A woman called me during wedding preparations advising me to cancel the function claiming that she was the right woman and she had a baby with Kennedy. I also thought Kennedy would not come from Masaka to Mityana for my introduction after the threats from the woman.
What is your advice to those planning to wed?
John Kennedy: Accept what you are and know what you want. Deciding to wed is a personal decision and later you inform your relatives and friends. The expensive things we yearn for are insignificant. Try to understand your partner and invoke God’s graces.
Jane Frances: Trust God and make as many friends who will stand by you because no man is an island.

What was the most challenging thing during preparations?
John Kennedy: Collecting funds and mobilising people.
Jane Frances: I had to travel to different distant places such as Masaka, Mityana, Kiboga, Mutukula, and Kalisizo to inform people and convene fundraising meetings. At some point, the turn up was bad and sometimes those who managed to come, arrived late. It was scary.
Where was your honeymoon?
Jane Frances: We spent some days in Tanzania.

Given chance to wed again, what would you do better?
John Kennedy: Ensure there is enough food for my guests.

Did you have any debts after the wedding?
John and Jane: No.