Mega Fm: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the Banyankole community to preserve the cultural values of the traditional Okuhingira ceremony by discouraging excessive bride price demands and extravagant weddings, warning that the growing commercialization of marriage is discouraging many young people from starting families.
The President made the remarks on Saturday 1st August 2026 during the Okuhingira ceremony of Ms. Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of the Minister of State for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region, Hon. Alice Kaboyo, at Kakyeera in Kiruhura District.
During the ceremony, Kisha was formally handed over to Mr. Aaron Mwiije Kafureeka, marking the traditional union of the two families ahead of the couple’s marriage.
The Okuhingira ceremony, one of the Banyankole’s most treasured cultural traditions, formally signifies the giving away of a bride by her family to the groom’s family. It symbolizes the union of families, blessings for the couple and the preservation of cultural heritage, rather than serving as a commercial transaction.
Addressing guests, President Museveni expressed concern over the increasing practice of demanding large sums of money and livestock as bride price.
“You, the Banyankole, are damaging the population with this thing of Okujugusa (paying bride price). Why ask for 15 cows and millions of shillings? Why are you selling your children? You make young people fear marriage and, unfortunately, some begin their lives together in debt,” the President said.
He also called for simpler wedding ceremonies, saying costly celebrations place unnecessary financial pressure on families.
The President explained that although he rarely attends private social functions because of the logistical costs associated with presidential movements, he made an exception for Hon. Kaboyo because of her long-standing service and loyalty to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
