Ochola lives marriage dream 25 years later
Deputy Inspector General of Police John Martin Okoth- Ochola serves his wife, Judith Akoth Hellen, a glass of wine after tying the knot at Christ the King Church in Kampala at the weekend. The two had lived together for 25 years. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa.
What you need to know:
It was around that time that Mr Ochola joined the police, a profession that occupied his time, making him almost fail to formalise his marriage.
When Mr John Martin Okoth- Ochola, now Deputy Inspector General of Police, fulfilled the dowry requirements to the family of Ms Judith Hellen Akoth in 1988, the latter’s family thought he loved their daughter and would immediately formalise the marriage.
That is if Mr Geresom Okecho, who spoke on behalf of Judith’s family, is to be taken by his words.
It was around that time that Mr Ochola joined the police, a profession that occupied his time, making him almost fail to formalise his marriage.
“When we gave you our daughter, we thought you loved her but we were thinking of withdrawing her,” Mr Okecho said of the impatience that was growing within the family.
But Mr Ochola has nipped their plans in the bud.
“I have been with this dream for so many years and as a lawyer, I do not want to be the first victim of the Marriage and Divorce Bill,” Kampala Metropolitan Police commander Felix Kaweesi said of the pleas Mr Ochola made to the wedding committee.
Mr Kaweesi, who was the chairperson of the wedding, was requested “to deliver the task “within time because the Bill was about to be passed.
And on Saturday afternoon, at a fully–packed Christ the King auditorium, Mr Ochola lived his dream, two decades later and with five off springs, all boys.
“I will,” he responded, with the velocity of a seasoned officer, when the Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese, the Rt. Rev Denis Kiwanuka Lote, posed the timeless question of whether he would take Judith for the rest of his life.
His answer greeted with a cacophony of blazing police band and wild feminine cheers.
‘The quiet but efficient officer’
IGP Kale Kayihura described him as “a quite but efficient man”, and few can disagree as he is barely known beyond the realms of the Force.
Voices of counsel were quick for Mr Ochola.
“Start each day with a kiss, it will keep you smiling the entire day. Always smile to Judith, you simply sweep her heart,” read a message from the police band.
“Even the most peaceful government has real or imaginary enemies and so are peaceful couples. Do not unleash on your enemies teargas. Be aware of marital rape and do not be the first victim if the bill is passed,” Mr Okoth-Ogola, his brother, warned.
