The couple held their introduction on July 14 and their wedding on September 4, 2021. PHOTO/COURTESY
Winnie Wandukwa, currently serving as a human resource officer at Namisindwa District Local Government, and Moses Munyali Makayi, a senior assistant secretary in the same district, are soulmates whose journey began in the most unexpected of ways in 2020.
At the time, Winnie was working as a credit officer at BRAC Uganda. She recalls their first encounter during a planning meeting for a friend’s traditional introduction ceremony, an event she had not even wanted to attend.
“My sister insisted I go, even though I did not feel like it,” Winnie says. “Moses was chairing the organising committee, and I remember catching him stealing glances at me throughout the meeting. I left early, thinking nothing of it, but fate had other plans.” Their paths crossed again the night before the introduction ceremony, this time in her brother’s car. “He asked for my number right in front of my uncle,” Winnie recalls with a smile.
“I was too shy to say no. Honestly, I had planned to block him afterwards, but somehow, I never did.” For Moses, the connection was immediate and powerful. “From the moment I saw her, I could not take my eyes off her,” he says. “There was something graceful and quietly captivating about her. When we met again in that car, I knew I had to take the chance, and I am so glad I did.”
Living in the same neighbourhood made it easier for the pair to see each other frequently. They explored restaurants together and spent time simply talking and enjoying each other’s company. Their connection blossomed in real life, beyond the screens of their phones.
“Technology helped, yes,” they agree, “but our love was built through real, intentional moments.”
Winnie was soon won over by Moses’ humour and charm. “We shared so many dreams and could talk for hours without getting bored,” she says. “He is incredibly funny, and let us just say, very easy on the eye.” For Moses, it was her depth and grace that drew him in.
“She is intelligent, thoughtful, and kind, being around her felt like home,” he says. “There is a calm strength about her that stayed with me. We dated for exactly a year, and every moment confirmed we were meant to be.” During their courtship, Winnie worked in Tororo while Moses was based in Mbale. But the distance only strengthened their bond. “We made time for each other,” Winnie says.
“Whether it meant me travelling back to Mbale on weekends or him coming to see me, we were committed. We became not just lovers, but best friends. He always reassured me, saying, ‘I will marry you’, and he meant it.”
She adds that Moses saw potential in her that she had not fully tapped into, and lovingly encouraged her to chase her dreams. “His support gave me the courage to pursue my passion for fashion design,” she says. “Today, alongside my public service work, I am building a brand that creates elegant wedding gowns for the modern bride.”
Moses believes their marriage is more than a romantic union; it is a shared mission. “We see marriage as a partnership where both people are empowered to grow, in love, yes, but also in purpose,” he says. “Our story is a reminder that with God, mutual respect, and shared dreams, anything is possible.”
Proposal
There was no grand proposal, the couple says. Instead, Moses had been quietly affirming his intentions throughout their relationship. “He would often say, ‘You are the one I will marry,’” Winnie recalls. Then one day, with quiet certainty, he simply said, “Tell your parents I would like to come with my people on July 14, 2021.”
She smiles and adds, “And that was it; simple, sincere, and perfectly us.”
Wedding preparations
Both their introduction and wedding ceremonies took place during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which meant everything had to be intimate and low-key. “We had a small introduction, 20 guests from his side and 30 from mine,” Winnie shares.
“It was humble but heartfelt.” The wedding followed a similar tone; simple but joyful.
“Despite the restrictions, our hearts were full,” she says. Instead of hiring an event planner, Moses and his close friends took charge of most of the preparations. “It was a true labour of love,” Winnie says.
“We held our introduction on July 14 and our wedding on September 4, 2021.” Moses reflects on the experience as a formative one. “The process taught us that marriage is not just about love. It is about trust, understanding, and choosing each other every single day.”
The beauty of counselling
Through marriage counselling, the couple gained a deeper understanding of what it means to become “one flesh,” as described in Genesis 2:23–24.
“We learnt that in marriage, we are no longer two individuals but one, united in purpose, love, and commitment,” they explain. The sessions also highlighted the importance of putting their relationship first, even above extended family ties.
“We learnt the value of transparency, unity, and faithfulness,” they add. “Most importantly, we were encouraged to always keep God at the centre of our marriage. His guidance is what helps our union thrive.”
Challenges
The biggest challenge they faced was organising a wedding in the middle of the pandemic, a time of uncertainty, restrictions, and shifting plans.
“Limiting our guest list was the hardest part,” they share. “Choosing who to invite from so many dear friends and family was emotionally draining, but we had to follow the guidelines.”
Planning also involved seeking special permission from authorities. And even with all the effort, they could not celebrate as they had dreamt.
“There were no after-parties or extended gatherings with loved ones who had travelled far to be with us. That was heartbreaking.” And then, nature intervened.
“It rained heavily on our wedding day,” they recall. “But in the middle of the downpour, we danced, soaked to the skin but overflowing with joy. That moment became one of the most beautiful memories of our lives. The rain did not ruin our day; it made it unforgettable.”
Memorable moments
For Winnie, one of the most unforgettable moments was when Moses was asked to dance for her. “I had never seen him dance before; it was hilarious and adorable. I will never forget it,” she says with a laugh.
For Moses, the moment that stayed with him forever was seeing Winnie walk down the aisle. “She was my dream come true,” he says. “In that moment, I knew I was the luckiest man alive.”
