By While addressing attendees at the International Women’s Day festivities held yesterday at Boma grounds in Katakwi district, Museveni disclosed that he declined to accept bride price for his daughters. Instead, he opted to pay dowry to the families of his sons-in-law, drawing a comparison to Indian customs.
Contrary to the customary practice in Ankole, where the groom’s family typically offers money or properties to the bride’s family, Museveni explained that he chose to pay dowry to the families who welcomed his three daughters into their households.
Museveni highlighted this approach as a manifestation of the socio-economic transformation necessary for all Ugandan families to combat gender-based violence and foster women’s empowerment.
In many parts of Ankole, Museveni noted, families that prospered through commercialized cattle rearing under his leadership have shifted away from the exchange of bride price. Instead, they opt to offer gifts or resources to the families of the bride, symbolizing this change.
Referring to an account shared by his Minister Namuganza, who attended a recent wedding in Ankole, Museveni recounted how the bride’s family declined the groom’s gifts and instead requested a certain number of cows, resulting in the groom’s family presenting 90 cows.
Museveni emphasized that this transition is indicative of families transcending poverty. He also shared his personal experience of eschewing the tradition of demanding bride price for his daughters when they marry, stating that he himself accompanies them with cows as part of the dowry payment.
Museveni, who has three known daughters with his wife Janet Kataha Museveni, detailed their marriages, including Dianah Museveni’s union with Kampala businessman Geofrey Kamuntu in July 2004, Natasha Keinembabazi Museveni’s marriage to Edwin Karugire on August 26, 2000, and Patience Kokundeka Museveni’s wedding to Odrek Rwabwogo on July 20, 2002. Additionally, Museveni mentioned his daughter Angela Kakishozi’s marriage to Gen Henry Tumukunde’s son Amanya Tumukunde on February 26, 2022, born out of his second relationship.
Furthermore, Museveni highlighted that he is a grandfather to his daughters’ children and takes responsibility for paying the bride price, symbolized by offering cows, when they marry. He also noted that his son Muhoozi Keinerugaba is married to former foreign affairs Minister Sam Kutesa’s twin daughter Charlotte Nankunda Kutesa, with their relationship dating back to 1999.
