Hon Fred Mukasa Mbidde has urged the Baganda community to copy from the marriage customs of their Ankole and Rwandan counterparts, particularly in the way gifts are given during wedding ceremonies.
This comes in a shocker to everyone as the Member of Parliament puts the Buganda Marriage customs on a plate. Fred Mbidde, who recently married Phiona Nayebale, a Munyankore woman believes that if Baganda adjust a bit in that culture they could benefit a lot from these traditions.
Mbidde drew parallels between how Baganda and Banyankole marriage functions are prepared, like in Ankole and Rwanda involve a lot of talking and in almost every speech, the speaker concludes by gifting the new couple with a cow or cows.
At the end of the function, the young couple is starting their family with about 40 cows which provides the newlyweds with a strong financial foundation to start a new life. He continued to say that not any Banyankore newly weds can drown in debts.
“You will never hear a story that the new couple who just got married has been thrown out of their home over rent or cant start up a business.” He quipped. And explained why this happens like that, because the young couple is given things on their wedding day to start with.
Mbidde further lamented that in Buganda, wedding gifts are typically more short-lived because the gifts they bring are tomatoes, matooke, mangos, beers, sodas and cabbages which will be consumed in one week.
ALSO READ: How Fisherwomen Challenge Tradition and Hardship on Lake Kyoga
“If we are to bring a cow, they bring raw meat as a gift which means you have not laid a good foundation for this couple to face the world.” He added. In reflecting on his experience, Mbidde urged Baganda to rethink their approach to marriage ceremonies, placing more emphasis on gifts that provide long-term support.
