tucker carlson
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Rais Yoweri Museveni ametoa wito kwa jamii ya Banyankole kurudisha madhumuni ya asili ya kiutamaduni ya sherehe ya Okuhingira, akionya kuwa matakwa ya mahari ya juu kupita kiasi na sherehe za kitamaduni za gharama kubwa yanaziwekea familia mzigo mkubwa wa kifedha na kuchelewesha ndoa miongoni mwa vijana.
Akizungumza siku ya Jumamosi wakati wa sherehe ya Okuhingira ya Isabel Kisha Byanjeru Kaboyo (binti wa Waziri wa Nchi wa Pembe ya Luweero na Eneo la Rwenzori, Alice Kaboyo) katika Wilaya ya Kiruhura, Museveni alikosoa kuongezeka kwa biashara katika mila hiyo ya karne nyingi.
Okuhingira ni Nini?
Okuhingira ni sherehe ya jadi ya harusi inayoadhimishwa miongoni mwa jamii za Banyankole, Bahima, na Bakiga wa magharibi mwa Uganda.
Ujumbe wa Rais Museveni
Akiwahutubia wageni, Rais Museveni ambaye mara kwa mara hujiita "Jajja" (ikimaanisha babu) na anayetimiza umri wa miaka 82 mnamo Septemb alihoji kwa nini baadhi ya wazazi wanachukulia mazungumzo ya ndoa kama njia ya kujilimbikizia mali.
"Nanyi Banyankole kwa kweli mnaharibu jamii. Wazazi, kwa nini mnauza watoto? Shida ni nini? Ng'ombe 16, sijui ng'ombe wangapi... Kwa nini lazima mpate utajiri kupitia watoto wenu? Kwa nini msifanye kazi wenyewe?" alisema Museveni.
Alidai kuwa mahari ya juu mno huwalazimu wanandoa vijana kuanza maisha ya ndoa wakiwa tayari wamelemewa na madeni:
"Mmekosea kuhusu wazo hili la mahari kwa sababu mnawasababishia watoto wenu kuanza ndoa wakiwa na madeni.
"Sitaki wala sidai mahari kwa ajili ya binti zangu kwa sababu kwa nini nifanye hivyo? Kwani sina ng'ombe wangu mwenyewe? Kama mzazi, siwezi kufanya kazi ili kujipatia utajiri wangu mwenyewe? Kwa nini binti zangu waende huko [katika ndoa] kama watumwa kwa sababu tu mtu fulani amewanunua kupitia mahari?"
"Kwenye harusi yangu na Janet huko Ulaya, tulikuwa na wageni takriban 10 pekee kwa ajili ya chakula cha mchana. Harusi hizi za kifahari zinawasumbua na kuwachelewesha vijana kufunga ndoa. Maaskofu wanapaswa kuwahubiria waumini kuhusu hili."
"Mahema haya makubwa na ya gharama mliyoweka hapa... Yote hii ni ya nini? Ni kupoteza fedha tu. Mkitumia hema la kujitengenezea kwa kamba za migomba, kwani sherehe ya utambulisho haiwezi kufanyika?"
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President Museveni has called on the Banyankole community to restore the original cultural purpose of Okuhingira, warning that excessive bride price demands and lavish traditional ceremonies are placing unnecessary financial pressure on families and delaying marriage among young people.
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 criticised the growing commercialization of the centuries-old tradition.
Okuhingira is a traditional marriage ceremony observed among the Banyankole, Bahima and Bakiga of western Uganda, where the groom is formally introduced, the bride is blessed and the union is recognised by both families.
The ceremony typically involves the groom's family presenting several cows, often more than five, to the bride's family as part of the customary bride price before the bride is officially welcomed into her husband's family.
Addressing guests, the president, who often refers to himself as "Jajja", meaning grandfather, and turns 82 in September, questioned why some parents treat marriage negotiations as an avenue for accumulating 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 argued that excessive bride price forces young couples into marriage already burdened by debt.
"You're wrong on this idea of bride price because you subject your children to start marriage while in debt," he said.
President Museveni poses for a photo with the bride, members of her family and friends during the cultural ceremony of Kisha and Aaron Kafureeka in western Uganda on August 1, 2026. Courtesy photo/PPU.
Museveni also criticised the growing trend of elaborate introduction ceremonies, saying families were spending heavily on luxury tents and decorations at the expense of the true cultural meaning of the occasion.
"These expensive mega tents that you set up here... What's all this for? Just wasting money. If you use an improvised banana fibre tent, can't the introduction ceremony be held?" he asked.
Drawing from his own experience, Museveni said his August 24, 1973 wedding to First Lady Janet Museveni in England was deliberately modest.
"On my wedding with Janet in Europe, we had around 10 guests for our luncheon. These luxurious weddings are disturbing and delaying young people from getting married. Bishops should preach to the congregation," he said.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni share a joyful dance alongside their granddaughters during their 50th wedding anniversary celebrations in Ntungamo District in August 2023, marking five decades of marriage. PHOTO/FILE/PPU
The President added that he does not demand bride price for his daughters, arguing that parents should build their own wealth rather than depend on marriage negotiations.
"I don't demand bride price for my daughters because why should I? Don't I have my own cows? Can't I work for my own wealth as a parent? Why should my girls go to be their [in marriage] as slaves because someone simply bought them through bride price?" he remarked.
Museveni also linked excessive bride price to historical conflicts in the Karamoja sub-region, saying some disputes stemmed from unrealistic demands during marriage negotiations.
"Whenever you heard there was violence in Karamoja, some of these conflicts were triggered by introduction ceremonies. They'd ask for 200 cows which people didn't have. In the end, people would default and thus attract punishment. In my view, excessive bride price is paganism," he said.
In a message later posted on X, Museveni congratulated the couple and advised them to build their marriage on friendship.
"I reminded the couple that marriage is for two people. Build your home on friendship and do not allow unnecessary interference," he wrote.
He also praised residents of the area for embracing wealth creation and noted that River Rwizi and Lake Kakyera present opportunities for commercial agriculture through irrigation.
President Museveni walks with the bride out of the house during the cultural ceremony of Kisha and Aaron Kafureeka in western Uganda on August 1, 2026. Courtesy photo/PPU.
Museveni's remarks add to a long-running national debate over bride price, a practice many cultural leaders defend as a symbol of appreciation to the bride's family, while critics argue that excessive demands have turned it into a commercial transaction that discourages marriage and places young couples under financial strain.
Source: Daily Monitor
Akizungumza siku ya Jumamosi wakati wa sherehe ya Okuhingira ya Isabel Kisha Byanjeru Kaboyo (binti wa Waziri wa Nchi wa Pembe ya Luweero na Eneo la Rwenzori, Alice Kaboyo) katika Wilaya ya Kiruhura, Museveni alikosoa kuongezeka kwa biashara katika mila hiyo ya karne nyingi.
Okuhingira ni Nini?
Okuhingira ni sherehe ya jadi ya harusi inayoadhimishwa miongoni mwa jamii za Banyankole, Bahima, na Bakiga wa magharibi mwa Uganda.
Ujumbe wa Rais Museveni
Akiwahutubia wageni, Rais Museveni ambaye mara kwa mara hujiita "Jajja" (ikimaanisha babu) na anayetimiza umri wa miaka 82 mnamo Septemb alihoji kwa nini baadhi ya wazazi wanachukulia mazungumzo ya ndoa kama njia ya kujilimbikizia mali.
"Nanyi Banyankole kwa kweli mnaharibu jamii. Wazazi, kwa nini mnauza watoto? Shida ni nini? Ng'ombe 16, sijui ng'ombe wangapi... Kwa nini lazima mpate utajiri kupitia watoto wenu? Kwa nini msifanye kazi wenyewe?" alisema Museveni.
Alidai kuwa mahari ya juu mno huwalazimu wanandoa vijana kuanza maisha ya ndoa wakiwa tayari wamelemewa na madeni:
"Mmekosea kuhusu wazo hili la mahari kwa sababu mnawasababishia watoto wenu kuanza ndoa wakiwa na madeni.
"Sitaki wala sidai mahari kwa ajili ya binti zangu kwa sababu kwa nini nifanye hivyo? Kwani sina ng'ombe wangu mwenyewe? Kama mzazi, siwezi kufanya kazi ili kujipatia utajiri wangu mwenyewe? Kwa nini binti zangu waende huko [katika ndoa] kama watumwa kwa sababu tu mtu fulani amewanunua kupitia mahari?"
"Kwenye harusi yangu na Janet huko Ulaya, tulikuwa na wageni takriban 10 pekee kwa ajili ya chakula cha mchana. Harusi hizi za kifahari zinawasumbua na kuwachelewesha vijana kufunga ndoa. Maaskofu wanapaswa kuwahubiria waumini kuhusu hili."
"Mahema haya makubwa na ya gharama mliyoweka hapa... Yote hii ni ya nini? Ni kupoteza fedha tu. Mkitumia hema la kujitengenezea kwa kamba za migomba, kwani sherehe ya utambulisho haiwezi kufanyika?"
---------------------------
President Museveni has called on the Banyankole community to restore the original cultural purpose of Okuhingira, warning that excessive bride price demands and lavish traditional ceremonies are placing unnecessary financial pressure on families and delaying marriage among young people.
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 criticised the growing commercialization of the centuries-old tradition.
Okuhingira is a traditional marriage ceremony observed among the Banyankole, Bahima and Bakiga of western Uganda, where the groom is formally introduced, the bride is blessed and the union is recognised by both families.
The ceremony typically involves the groom's family presenting several cows, often more than five, to the bride's family as part of the customary bride price before the bride is officially welcomed into her husband's family.
Addressing guests, the president, who often refers to himself as "Jajja", meaning grandfather, and turns 82 in September, questioned why some parents treat marriage negotiations as an avenue for accumulating 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 argued that excessive bride price forces young couples into marriage already burdened by debt.
"You're wrong on this idea of bride price because you subject your children to start marriage while in debt," he said.
President Museveni poses for a photo with the bride, members of her family and friends during the cultural ceremony of Kisha and Aaron Kafureeka in western Uganda on August 1, 2026. Courtesy photo/PPU.
Museveni also criticised the growing trend of elaborate introduction ceremonies, saying families were spending heavily on luxury tents and decorations at the expense of the true cultural meaning of the occasion.
"These expensive mega tents that you set up here... What's all this for? Just wasting money. If you use an improvised banana fibre tent, can't the introduction ceremony be held?" he asked.
Drawing from his own experience, Museveni said his August 24, 1973 wedding to First Lady Janet Museveni in England was deliberately modest.
"On my wedding with Janet in Europe, we had around 10 guests for our luncheon. These luxurious weddings are disturbing and delaying young people from getting married. Bishops should preach to the congregation," he said.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni share a joyful dance alongside their granddaughters during their 50th wedding anniversary celebrations in Ntungamo District in August 2023, marking five decades of marriage. PHOTO/FILE/PPU
The President added that he does not demand bride price for his daughters, arguing that parents should build their own wealth rather than depend on marriage negotiations.
"I don't demand bride price for my daughters because why should I? Don't I have my own cows? Can't I work for my own wealth as a parent? Why should my girls go to be their [in marriage] as slaves because someone simply bought them through bride price?" he remarked.
Museveni also linked excessive bride price to historical conflicts in the Karamoja sub-region, saying some disputes stemmed from unrealistic demands during marriage negotiations.
"Whenever you heard there was violence in Karamoja, some of these conflicts were triggered by introduction ceremonies. They'd ask for 200 cows which people didn't have. In the end, people would default and thus attract punishment. In my view, excessive bride price is paganism," he said.
In a message later posted on X, Museveni congratulated the couple and advised them to build their marriage on friendship.
"I reminded the couple that marriage is for two people. Build your home on friendship and do not allow unnecessary interference," he wrote.
He also praised residents of the area for embracing wealth creation and noted that River Rwizi and Lake Kakyera present opportunities for commercial agriculture through irrigation.
President Museveni walks with the bride out of the house during the cultural ceremony of Kisha and Aaron Kafureeka in western Uganda on August 1, 2026. Courtesy photo/PPU.
Museveni's remarks add to a long-running national debate over bride price, a practice many cultural leaders defend as a symbol of appreciation to the bride's family, while critics argue that excessive demands have turned it into a commercial transaction that discourages marriage and places young couples under financial strain.
Source: Daily Monitor