Tying the knot after 10 years

LOVE DOES NOT LIE: Joseph Emanuel Kayuki, 42, a clinical officer at Kagadi Hospital, wedded Neoline Namutebi, 32, a teacher at Masaka S.S, on September 1, 2018. They share their love journey with SHAMIM J. NAKAWOOYA.

When and how did you meet?
Joseph: I met my wife at Kyamulibwa Health centre where I was working with her elder sister in 2003.
Neoline: I met him during my Senior Six vacation in 2003 at a health centre in Kyamulibwa, Kalungu District. He was my sister’s workmate.

When did you eventually get close?
Joseph: She used to come at my work place, we became friends and after she started visiting me at home, especially over the weekends.
Neoline: I was studying at Uganda Christian University -Mukono. We both used to check on each other in Mukono and Kalungu. Joseph could provide with me upkeep, gifts and sometimes he could top up on my tuition fees, he really invested a lot of resources in me and was always there for me.
We also used to hang out in different places, started feeling differently for each other and later bonded more.

What attracted you to each other?
Joseph: Her maturity, body size, honesty, kindness, patience, beautiful, loving, caring and being supportive. She is self-contained.
Neoline: Joseph was promising, God-fearing, caring, loyal, loving, handsome and reliable in everything that came out of him.

Why did you take long to propose?
Joseph: After completing her bachelor’s degree in Education, we agreed to first have children, build a home, and set up income-generating business as well as saving for our wedding.

What was the proposal like?
Joseph: It was not a formal proposal, it was just a discussion which we agreed up on to legalise our marriage in 2018 after 10 years.
Neoline, how did you react to the proposal?
Neoline (Laughs) : It was a romantic night on our bed when we agreed to mark a certain date for our kukyala at the beginning of 2018.
I was overjoyed and I believed him since he always kept his promises.

What was your budget?
Joseph: Shs 50m for both wedding and introduction. We both contributed 65 per cent and the rest was raised by friends and family.

What was the most expensive item?
Joseph: Food cost Shs7m.
Neoline: Decor went for Shs3.5m.

Did you involve a wedding planner?
Joseph: No, we only had a wedding committee chaired by my brother Ivan Yiga, Dr Martin Muddu and Eddy Bagyire helped us to organise everything and getting good service providers.

What was your wedding eve like?
Joseph: I was putting final touches to everything.
Neoline: We had our introduction on a Thursday and so I was at home relaxing.

Did you go for premarital counselling?
Joseph: Yes, we went to catechist, Najja Nakabuye at Kitovu Cathedral and we learnt a lot of things, including how to handle conflicts in the family, be forgiving to each other, loving and caring for each other.
Neoline: My areas of interest were resolving conflicts, patience, understanding and trusting each other in marriage and these were tackled very well.

Where did you shop for your attire?
Joseph: I got my suit in one of the shops in Kampala at Shs700, 000.My attires altogether cost Shs1.5m including shoes and the changing.
Neoline: I bought my attire from Irene Bridals at DTB Plaza costing Shs2m altogether. I got the jewellery from one of the shops at Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza.

What was the most exciting moment on your wedding?
Joseph: The church session was so exciting and looking at my wife well dressed in a gown. She looked elegant.
Neoline: Joseph was so smart, entering the reception and the decor were all exciting to me.

Were you disappointed on your function?
Joseph: No, everything went perfectly.
Neoline: Two groomsmen who failed to turn up at the last moment.

Did you go for honeymoon and where did you go?
Joseph: Yes, at Hotel Brovad in Masaka where we spent two days and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Neoline: We got relaxed at Hotel Brovad where we enjoyed good memories away from home.

Who comprised your entourage?
Joseph: Charles Bukenya, my best man who is our long-time friend and he pledged to cater and facilitate his attires.
The groomsmen were my wife’s workmates who also catered for their attires. The pageboys included Zodo Nsibambi, my nephew and a friend’s son.
Neoline: My matron was Sylvia Nyangoma, a workmate who is married and a best friend. Then the bridesmaids included Agnes Nankya, Dr Faith Ssemwanga, Christine Nanozi, Maria Asumpta Nakalema and Patricia who are also my good friends.
The flowergirls included Flavia Kebirungi, the matron’s daughter and Merlyn Nameere who is my sister-in law’s daughter.

Did you have any debts after?
Joseph: No.

What is your advice to those planning to wed?
Joseph: Save for the weddings to avoid stress and pressure.
Also, plan within your means and stop relying on pledges because sometimes people fail to fulfil them.
Neoline: Have faith and be ready for marriage.
Also, plan within your capacities and live right. Patience and trust should also be considered when someone is looking for a life time partner.

Wedding planner

Colour theme
Neoline chose white, maroon and baby pink because she loves the colours. They all looked nice and different. Whereas Joseph chose blue and grey to look unique which are rarely used by people on such functions.

Cake
The groom’s brother Jude Matovu of JJ Confectioneries in Masaka baked a 20 tier-cake at a discount. It cost the couple Shs1m.

Food
This was one of the most expensive items that cost the couple Shs 7m because they wanted to feed their guests on organic food.

The details
Date: September 1, 2018
Groom: Joseph Emanuel Kayuki
Bride: Neoline Namutebi
Church: Kitovu Cathedral-Masaka
Officiants: Rev Fr Vicent Nanseera and Rev FrVicent Muyombya
Reception: Sports Club Gardens, Masaka
Budget: Shs 50m
Guests: 600
Photography: Power Camera Studios Masaka
Salon: KK Beauty Salon, Masaka
Decor: Ken Entreprises Nyendo,Masaka