Love without words: Wedding in sign language excites Busia locals

It was a unique and heartwarming moment when Mr Dennish Odong and his longtime partner, Ms Rose Akullo, exchanged their marriage vows entirely in sign language.

Using gestures and assisted by a sign language interpreter, the couple—both of whom have hearing and speech impairments—declared their love and commitment before a cheering congregation.

The vows took place at a local church in Buwuluhiro village, Masaba Sub County, Busia District. The joyful crowd watched in awe as the couple expressed their promises using signs.

The presiding bishop, Jacob Otieno of Busia Deliverance Church, asked Mr Odong, through the interpreter, if he would accept Rose as his wife and remain committed to her. Mr Odong responded with a clear gesture: raising his right hand, rolling it forward toward Rose, and then bringing it back to his chest.

The interpreter relayed his response to the bishop, affirming, “He says he will.” This announcement brought the congregation to its feet with cheers and applause. When Ms Akullo was asked the same question, her response mirrored that of her new husband, again eliciting celebration.

The interpreter guided the couple through the ring exchange, cake-cutting ceremony, and every other step, ensuring everyone in attendance could follow the proceedings. Finally, with smiles on their faces, the couple were pronounced husband and wife.

Mr Odong and Ms Akullo were one of four couples married during a mass wedding organized by the Mission for Hope Ministries in Masaba Sub County. The event was aimed at supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs) by enabling them to enter into holy matrimony, a rare opportunity for many.

Curious about their journey, the congregation wondered how two individuals with hearing and speech impairments had met and cultivated the deep bond they displayed during the ceremony.

Through the help of an interpreter, Mr Odong, 30, shared their story.

The couple first met in 2019 at a special needs school in Lira District. While surrounded by many students with different challenges, Mr Odong gravitated toward Ms Akullo, as they both shared similar impairments.

“Ms Rose and I both had speech and hearing impairments, and because of that, we spent a lot of time together. This strengthened our bond,” Mr Odong said through his interpreter.

After completing school, their paths diverged: Mr. Odong took a casual job in a factory in Lira, while Ms Akullo worked in Kampala. Despite the distance, they maintained contact using WhatsApp and SMS.

“While many use WhatsApp and SMS casually, for us, these platforms were our lifeline,” Mr Odong recalled. “I eventually invited Rose to return to Lira, and when she agreed, it marked the start of our journey toward marriage.”

For Mr Odong, Ms Akullo possessed all the qualities he sought in a life partner. “

She is hardworking, humble, loving, and respectful. These are the traits I had always been looking for in a wife,” he said.

Walking hand-in-hand with his bride to the altar was a dream come true. “I am happy that I have finally been wedded to the wife of my dreams,” he beamed.

The couple is blessed with a four-year-old daughter who does not have any impairments.

Ms Akullo was equally overjoyed to marry her longtime companion. “We first met at school. Despite our challenges, he was always there for me, and that’s how our relationship blossomed,” she said, her smile reflecting her happiness. She noted that she was the first person in her family to marry in a church ceremony.

“Nothing but death can separate us,” she added. “My husband shows me love and affection. He consults me on everything, which makes me feel valued and important.”

Ms Akullo currently works at the Bible Beauty School in Mukono, a Korean-owned institution where she empowers children with disabilities by teaching pedicure and manicure skills.

Meanwhile, Mr Odong serves as an ICT specialist, sign language expert, and preacher for children with special needs at Mission for Disability in Busia District.

Celebrating love
Presiding over the ceremony, Bishop Jacob Otieno emphasized the importance of marriage in fostering companionship and building strong communities.

The mass wedding was the first of its kind organized by Mission for Disability, a church-led initiative supporting PWDs.

Mr Soon Lee, a missionary with the organization, expressed the need for such events: “We realized that many persons with disabilities were not in holy matrimony, so we decided to support them in officially getting married.”

Mr Minsu Park, another missionary, added that holy marriage connects couples directly with God and plays a significant role in their lives.

Ms Chris Kokonya, the coordinator for Mission for Disability Uganda, echoed this sentiment. “We have been supporting PWDs in many ways but discovered that most of them were not married. This initiative is a step toward addressing that gap,” she explained.

As the ceremony concluded, it was clear that Mr Odong and Ms Akullo’s story was more than a tale of love; it was a testament to resilience, faith, and the unbreakable bond between two individuals who found each other despite life’s challenges.

Their union not only brought joy to the couple but also inspired the community, showing that love truly transcends barriers.