We were seatmates in Senior one

Walking to the love haven.

What you need to know:

Kakuru Mushega and Henrieta Kebirungi exchanged vows in Kibuli Mosque aisle on October 18, 2014. They later treated their guests to a splendid reception at Crystal Gardens Namugongo. They shared their wedding story with Lydia Ainomugisha.

When and how did you meet?
Henrieta: We met in 1997, when we were both in Senior one at Ruhanga Adventist Secondary School, Ntungamo district. We used to sit next to each other. Because I used to report to school early, Kakuru often borrowed my books to copy notes. One day, when he didn’t return it, I had to look for him to get it. From then on, we became good friends. However, I changed school after Senior One.

Kakuru: I used to looked at Henrieta as a beautiful young girl and friend but by the time she changed school, I was convinced I wanted her for a lifelong commitment. So, we kept communicating through letters but her replies never came through. After sometime, we lost contact because I too changed school but always thought about her and never dated anyone.

So, when did you eventually become close?
Henrieta: While in Second Year at Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi in 2005, I bumped into him when I had come to Kampala to attend my sister’s wedding. While on Kampala Road I heard someone call out my name. I quickly recognised the voice but could not believe my eyes. It was my long lost friend, Kakuru. We chatted for a while and he asked me if I had a boyfriend who had occupied “his place”. I told him I had one but nobody had occupied his place. He asked for my phone number but I didn’t have one. We couldn’t get a pen and paper to write his so I crammed it and called him as soon as I reached Nkozi. Since then, we have never looked back.
Kakuru: When we met, we started afresh since we hadn’t met in a long time and constantly communicated using her roommate’s phone while at university.

What attracted you to each other?
Kakuru: Her beauty, height and understanding nature attracted me. Besides, we both like dancing.
Henrieta: He is generous, funny, friendly and loves music just like me.

Did he propose to you? How did you react?
Henrieta: When I visited him in Bweyogerere, he only mentioned that he wished we would get married after school. I had always wished the same. After my final exams, I moved in with him. He had just got a job, and I was looking for one.
Even after living together and having children, you still wedded her. How did you pull this off?
Kakuru: From the time I met her, I promised that I would marry her. Despite moving in with her and having two daughters, I had to wed her because I had promised.

When was the wedding?
Henrieta: On October 18, 2014 at Kibuli Mosque. I chose that date because it is my birthday and our first born’s.

What was your budget and how did you raise the funds?
Kakuru: We spent Shs14m and we raised all this from our friends and families. We had wedding meetings where many of our friends covered items on the budget.

Did you involve a wedding planner?
Henrieta: No, I was the wedding planner.

Were you disappointed in any way during the wedding?
Henrietta: I don’t remember any disappointment. We had the right people to help and work with us. We also did enough research on service providers prior to hiring them.
Kakuru: The bridal entourage was delayed in the salon and we were late for the wedding. Also, we forgot my cap in the car at the salon so we couldn’t be let into the mosque premises. We improvised.

What is your most memorable moment?
Kakuru: Seeing people happy at reception with enough food and drinks.
Henrieta: The Kalimarimbas, a group of children who entertained the guests, were awesome. Also, the speeches were full of kind words about us.

What criteria did you use to choose your entourage?
Kakuru: I had a bestman, Godfrey Gumisiriza who is my cousin and best friend.
Henrietta: My maid of honour was Safi Kabagenyi, a good friend and former roommate at campus. My bridemaids were Miria Khainza and Claire Namulwa, my friends and workmates at Kawempe Home Care. My flower girls were our two daughters and a niece.

Did you go for premarital counselling and what did you learn from it?
Kakuru: Yes, at Kibuli Mosque. I learnt to make my wife a priority in my life.
Henrietta: We learnt a lot about family life especially about how to handle issues like conflict, friends and finances in marriage.

What is your advice to those intending to wed?
Kakuru: strive to have a manageable wedding through good planning. For example, we used our friends’ cars instead of hiring. We bought food and hired a cook.
You should always ensure that your guests food and drinks because that is one parameter that they will use to judge your wedding.
Henrietta: Do not to compare your marriage with others. We’re unique so don’t strain yourself trying to copy others.
Also, focus on what makes you happy but not how you can make others happy.