South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s son Andile and his bride to be Rwakairu Bridget. Source/Nairobi News

This is marital rites in Uganda as South Africa’s President’s son marries Ugandan bride

African culture is deep and unique especially when it comes to things like burial, marriage, childbirth and naming ceremonies. You may not understand the uniqueness and interesting parts of these cultures until you come in contact with them.

The forthcoming event, probably by the weekend is the marriage ceremony between two high profile families from South Africa and Uganda. It is going to be a meeting of two cultures. But in marriages, when two cultures meet, the bride’s culture takes the shine off the groom’s. that is what we are about to witness at the weekend as the South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected in Uganda to pay 100 herds of cattle among other gifts, in a hyped dowry ceremony of his son, Andile.

That means that dowries in Uganda are not static. It could change according to the status of the in-law to be. That is interesting. It is also like that in some other parts of Africa including Nigeria.

The lucky lady is Rwakairu Bridget. She is niece to former Uganda Prime Minister and presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi.

The 37-year-old Bridget, is a daughter to the late Shadrack Rwakairu of Kabale and Peace Ruhindi, a sister to Jacquieline, Mbabazi’s wife.

She holds a post-graduate degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Beijing University of Science and Technology.

She also holds a BSC Environmental Engineering from Beijing Jiatong University. She attended Nyakisoroza Primary School.

TRADITIONAL RITES

In Uganda, Traditional Marriage (TM) precedes White Wedding (WW)

In accordance with Ugandan culture, the marriage is to be preceded by a traditional ceremony known as ‘Okhusaba’. In Andile’s case, it is going to hold on May 19. The ceremony shall be at 10 Nyanyi Gardens Kololo, at Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi’s residence,” a statement issued by Mbabazi’s family partly reads.

As per the Western Ugandan tradition, Ramaphosa has to lead a team of his family to Uganda, for Kuhingira – traditional marriage – where he will have to give cows and other assortment of gifts to the Mbabazi family as a thank you gesture.

In his fatherly duties, the South Africa Head of State is expected to lead a delegation of dozens of family members and close friends from Johannesburg to Kampala.

A press statement released by the bride’s family states the ceremony will be held at Kololo, a Kampala surburb.

The guest list remains a top secret even though security has already been beefed up, in anticipation of a host of top notch dignitaries and politicians from both Kampala and Johannesburg.

Nairobi News.