Titus is abetter version of me

How did you meet?
Titus: I met Joan in February 2013 at National Water and Sewerage Corporation in Jinja where I work. She was doing her training. She lived in Jinja and so we used to meet often.
Joan: I was a trainee in my second year at university.

When did the two of you eventually become close?
Titus: After training, we met often at her university, went for outings, I actually became closer to her the day I told her that I wanted us to be in a serious relationship that would result in marriage.
Joan: In 2013, we made our relationship official. Titus even talked about marriage, but I did not take him seriously. I was still enjoying campus life.

Did you propose to her?
Titus: Yes, I proposed twice. First, during an outing in April 2013 at Source of the Nile Hotel but I did not put a ring on her finger. She did not seem to believe. Then, on January 31, 2016, I asked for Karungi’s hand in marriage with a ring, she was excited.

Joan, how did you react?
Joan: I was surprised since I did not expect him to do that (his not the kind of man who believes in such). I had given up on the ring. Then, there he was on one knee asking to marry me. It took me by surprise. I smile whenever I recall that moment.

What attracted you to each other?
Titus: Joan behaved responsibly and more mature than her age. She is kind-hearted, loving, joyous and patient. She can sacrifice for the sake of others’ happiness.
Joan: A lot attracted me to Titus, but he is a better version of me and I look up to him.
When did you come up with the wedding date?
Titus: On January 31, 2016.
Joan: That was a week before visiting my parents and we had wanted it to be on Assumption Day, August 15.

What was your budget ?
Titus: Shs 65m. I raised money from my savings plus support from relatives, friends and my colleagues.

Did you involve a planner?
Joan: No, we did everything with the help of our friends.

How did you come up with the guest list?
Titus: I considered inviting strictly family, friends and colleagues.
Joan: I let Titus take charge. I only added a few of my friends and family since we have many mutual friends.

What were you doing on your wedding eve?
Titus: I went to church in the morning, checked on the service providers, reminded the invited guests of the wedding and I slept at 9pm.
Joan: During the day, I was finalising with the dresses and manicure for my bridesmaids and I. We left town late. As I was getting ready for bed, my friends came to my house and threw me a surprise bridal shower. It was amazing.

What was your colour theme?
Titus: I had no colour theme. Joan chose all the colours we used; sky blue suits; red and gold decorations.
Joan: These colours are a perfect combination and they matched my changing gown.

Were you disappointed in any way during the function?
Titus: No.
Joan: No, everything was in place only that they almost failed to play my reception entrance song and it was threatening to rain. (It was raining as we left church but it did not rain at the reception venue). However, this did not stop me from smiling. It was one of my best days.

Where did it take place?
Titus: Our Lady of Africa Church, Mbuya and reception was at All Sisters’ Gardens, Namugongo.
Joan: The reception venue is beautiful and serene.

What did you enjoy the most on that day?
Titus: Seeing Joan happy throughout the function. Also, being wedded by Bishop Callistus Rubaramira of Kabale who is also our uncle and 11 priests, it was so special. At the reception, we had more than 100 former seminarians; St Paul’s Old Boys’ Association (SPOBA) community with us, Dr Eng Silver Mugisha, managing director NWSC, and his deputy Alfred Okidi plus many workmates. This was humbling and exciting. All our scheduled activities happened on time.
Joan: Everything was beautiful but I enjoyed the part when my husband carried me on his lap to feed me cake at the reception. I also loved the photography time.

What was going through your mind during the ceremony?
Titus: I cannot put a finger to a particular thing; I was conscious not to have any activities delayed because I did not want the function to end late. I’m glad all run smoothly. I was overjoyed.
Joan: I was taking in every moment of the ceremony; I felt humbled that the bishop and all my friends attended my wedding. Most important of all, I was finally getting married to the love of my life.

Did you go for premarital counselling and what did you learn from it?
Titus: Yes, I did. I learnt that each of us have a role to play in making a happy marriage. The key is to love and respect each other.
Joan: I learnt that marriage is a journey for two not anybody else and we have to make it work for us. Patience is the yardstick for marriage; we need to understand each other as it is a process and not an overnight show. In my words, ‘marriage is like a true-life movie and everyone acts differently; we cannot in any way compare our marriage to other people’s marriages.’
What is your advice to those planning on wedding?
Titus: To wed is a blessing and I advise people in love to wed as long as you have found your partner. Wedding seals off your purpose in co-creation and love.
Joan: Marriage is beautiful and a blessing from God, you make it what it is. There is no perfect man, you just have to make him perfect for yourself. This is a vocation worth joining.

Did you have any debts after the wedding?
Titus: Absolutely not.
Joan: Not at all, the budget was manageable for my husband and with the support of friends and family; we cleared off all service providers.

The deal
Date: August 6, 2016
Groom: Titus Niwamanya
Bride: Joan Karungi Bagonza
Church: Our Lady of Africa, Mbuya
Reception: All Sisters’ Gardens Namugongo
Guests: 600 people
Budget: Shs65m
Honeymoon destination: Mombasa

THE DETAILS

Bridesmaids
Left to Right: Faith Owembabazi, Paula Ayebare, Buule Aileen Elizabeth and Agatha Muhaise are the bride’s close friends and she believed they could do anything for her.

Favourite
Joan says the best moment she enjoyed was when Titus sat her on his lap to feed her cake. She felt adorable and like a child.

Gown
Joan hired wedding gown from Muzana Bridals at Universal Plaza and bought the jewellery from Avemar Plaza. It cost her about Shs2.5m.