Watoto: We won’t relax wedding rules

Kampala. Watoto Church leadership yesterday vowed to continue wedding couples based on their set guidelines currently being challenged before the Constitutional Court by a prospective groom as being “harsh and unconstitutional”.

Early last week, Mr Micheal Aboneka sued the born-again church, saying he is stranded after the church imposed what he considered stringent conditions before he can be allowed to tie the knot on October 27 this year.

Mr Aboneka, a lawyer, listed a letter of consent (blessing) from the parents of the bride-to-be, a pastor’s endorsement of fitness for marriage, evidence of HIV status tested at a specified hospital and a counselling report as some of the prohibitive conditions.

LISTEN:Is the church treading unconstitutional marriage rules?

ALSO LISTEN:Michael Aboneka speaks out on Watoto church wedding legal suit

Church’s position
However, during the 8am service at Watoto Downtown on Bombo Road in central Kampala yesterday, the church’s Associate Team Leader, Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo, said anyone unwilling to obey the rules should look elsewhere to wed.

“Last week, media reports and particularly Daily Monitor newspaper, drew to our attention to a constitutional petition against Watoto Church, challenging our wedding procedures. We have engaged our lawyers to look into this matter but in the meantime, we want to reassure you that we will continue conducting marriages in line with our guidelines and our church constitution,” Pastor Rwotlonyo said, reading a statement from the institution’s leadership.

The congregation thundered with applause.
Mr Aboneka is also seeking the Constitutional Court to annul all marriages consummated by Watoto Church under the restrictive conditions.

Pastor Rwotlonyo said: “We firmly believe that this is an expression of our freedom of worship as guaranteed by the Constitution of Uganda. It is not mandatory for anyone to exchange marriage vows in Watoto Church but if you choose to do so, we are committed to do whatever we can to prepare you for a proper marriage.”

Despite the church reacting to the pending suit by way of an oral statement to its members, their lawyers have to formally file their defence to the petition.
Pastor Rwotlonyo went on to justify the church’s set out marriage guidelines as being intended to have “strong and healthy” marriages among its members. “We are also personally committed to helping you (church members) to building strong, healthy and happy families. Why? Because you matter. God Bless you!” he added.

In his petition last week, Mr Aboneka narrates of how he last month booked for his wedding to be held at Watoto North but the conditions he was asked to meet were “harsh”, leaving him stranded.

“I am essentially distressed because the mandatory requirement of the letter of blessing from the bride’s parents or guardians offends the right to free will and consent to marriage by the intending couples and is in contravention and inconsistent with Article 31 (1) & (3) of the Constitution,” he says in the petition.

He also says the mandatory HIV testing and disclosure of results to third parties is an invasion of privacy while parents’ consent letter is discriminatory and undermines the dignity, freewill, interest and status of women contrary to Article 33 (4), 6 of the Constitution.

Wedding guidelines of Watoto Church
A wedding date should be booked at least six months in advance. No wedding will be booked on a date that coincides with a significant Watoto Church event.
An HIV test and counselling report not more than six weeks from the date of booking. Tests must be recommended by health service providers, that is IMC, CASE and SAS.

An original letter of blessing from parents/guardians of the bride-to-be.
Couples must go through the appropriate church counselling. Wedding fees of Shs450,000.
Rehearsals must be supervised by the pastor, a week before the wedding.
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