Lavish weddings are unnecessary, meaningless
Dear Editor, I would like to contribute to the debate about lavish kwanjulas and weddings. I think we are missing the point.

First of all, kwanjula and wedding ceremonies should be a matter for the bride, groom and their close family members, and should in no way be a fundraising event or a means of coercing people into contributing to these functions. The couple should use the available means to organise the functions without exerting undue pressure on friends, workmates, neighbours, etc.

Secondly, since kwanjula is to introduce the husband-to-be to the bride’s family, keep the function small and simple, as was originally meant to be. Why have more than 20 bako (in-laws)? With big numbers, the whole event loses meaning.

Bringing expensive ‘gifts’ and bride price is against the emancipation of women and is uncalled for.

In addition, a successful marriage is based on mutual commitment, love and respect, and not material goods.

How does one expect a young couple to get so much money to organise such lavish events. Is it necessary?

I would uphold the values of commitment to each other, mutual respect and love and small, meaningful kwanjulas and wedding ceremonies. Marriage is not about showing off and vanity, but a serious affair.
Victoria Matovu

I wish our parents could sit down and recall the early days. I think even the kidaala for a kwanjula should not be made because only the few family members are the ones to attend from both sides of the families, not the whole of the clan.
John Bukenya

In times past, the traditional marriage was interesting and many people got married because there were no tough conditions, compared to present time.
I hate that kwanjulas have turned to be an investment. More and more men are being forced to dig deeper into their pocket, all in the name of pleasing the girl’s family. Then, trouble befalls the marriage, and we wonder why. Kwanjulas should be taken with a lot of seriousness, or else there will come a time when men stop marrying Ugandan ladies.
Kelvin Malla