Museveni Tells Banyankole to Stop ‘Selling’ Their Daughters Through Bride Price

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 2109 EAT on Monday 3 August 2026

President Yoweri Museveni has called for moderation in the payment of bride price, warning that excessive demands are commercialising marriage and discouraging many young people from starting families.

Speaking during the traditional Okuhingira ceremony of Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of the Minister of State for the Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region, Alice Kaboyo, in Kiruhura District on Saturday, Museveni urged the Banyankole community to preserve the cultural significance of the ceremony rather than allowing it to become a financial burden.

The President criticised the growing practice of demanding large sums of money and livestock as bride price, saying it was discouraging many young people from marrying.

“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,” Museveni said.

He also called for simpler wedding ceremonies, arguing that extravagant celebrations place unnecessary financial pressure on families and newly married couples.

Drawing on his own experience, Museveni said he and the First Lady, Janet Museveni, held a modest wedding attended by only eight guests.

“I have 15 grandchildren. I wedded Maama Janet abroad with only eight guests at a luncheon. These extravagant weddings are going to disturb people. I urge religious leaders to address this issue through their preaching,” he said.

The President emphasised that the Banyankole’s traditional Okuhingira ceremony is meant to symbolise the union of two families, bless a couple and preserve cultural heritage, rather than serve as a commercial transaction.

Museveni explained that although he rarely attends private social functions because of the logistical demands associated with presidential movements, he made an exception for Alice Kaboyo’s family in recognition of her decades of service and loyalty to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

He recalled that Kaboyo became connected to his family in 1979, when she unknowingly played a role in concealing preparations for the liberation struggle that followed the disputed 1980 general election. After completing her studies, Museveni said, she later cared for his family while they lived in Nairobi, Kenya, and later in Sweden.

“I said, for this case, I must come,” Museveni remarked, citing Kaboyo’s dedication and the personal losses she has endured, including the deaths of her husband and father.

Beyond the marriage celebrations, the President commended communities in Uganda’s cattle corridor for embracing settled dairy farming, saying the shift had boosted household incomes and improved livelihoods.

Museveni also urged livestock farmers to conserve pasture for the dry season and pledged to direct the Minister of Water and Environment, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, to convene stakeholders to discuss measures to protect the Kakyeera and River Rwizi water systems.

Vice President Jessica Alupo congratulated the couple and wished them a successful marriage, while Alice Kaboyo thanked the President for honouring her invitation despite his busy schedule.

The ceremony concluded with prayers led by the Bishop Emeritus of North Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev Stephen Namanya, who urged the couple to build their marriage on the values of patience, forgiveness and mutual understanding.

-Observer

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