Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has criticised the growing cost of weddings and marriage ceremonies, warning that extravagant celebrations and high bride prices are placing unnecessary financial pressure on young people.
He said the growing trend is discouraging young couples from starting families.
Museveni said expensive weddings had become a burden for many couples, forcing them into debt at the beginning of their marriages.
He urged religious leaders to address the issue through their sermons and encourage communities to embrace simpler ceremonies that focus on the values of marriage rather than excessive spending.
“These extravagant weddings are going to disturb people. I urge religious leaders to address this issue through their preaching,” Museveni said.
The President was speaking on Saturday during the Okuhingira ceremony of Isabel Kisha Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of State Minister for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region Alice Kaboyo, in Kiruhura District.
Museveni, who often refers to himself as “Jajja” (grandfather), shared his own experience, saying he married his wife Janet Museveni in a simple ceremony abroad attended by only eight guests at a luncheon.
“I have 15 grandchildren. I wedded my wife Maama Janet abroad with only eight guests at a luncheon,” he said, contrasting his experience with what he described as the increasingly costly nature of modern weddings.
The President also questioned the practice of demanding large bride prices, particularly among communities where marriage negotiations involve the exchange of significant wealth. He challenged parents who demand numerous cows and large sums of money, arguing that children should not be treated as a source of wealth.
“You the Banyankole are really damaging the population. Parents, why are you selling children? What’s the problem? Sixteen cows, I don’t know how many cows. Why do you have to get wealth through your children? Why can’t you work for yourself?” Museveni said.
He warned that such financial demands could discourage young people from committing to marriage or force couples to begin their lives together under heavy financial obligations.
Museveni specifically urged the Banyankole community and other groups to preserve the cultural meaning of marriage while avoiding practices that turn ceremonies into competitions for wealth and status.
Okuhingira is a traditional marriage ceremony among the Banyankole, Bahima and Bakiga communities of western Uganda, where the groom is formally introduced, the bride receives blessings and the union is recognised by both families.
The ceremony traditionally involves the groom’s family presenting cows to the bride’s family as part of customary marriage arrangements.
