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They built love through mass
What you need to know:
I GOT YOU BABE. Eddy Luswata, 30, a businessman in Nyendo, a Masaka suburb, admired Winnie Nantongo aged 27 at Kitovu Cathedral in March 2006 when she was in her Senior Six vacation. Luswata’s thoughts and attention were directed to Nantongo during mass. He took a step further of meeting her parents and later won Nantongo’s heart. The couple tells their story to Shamim J. Nakawooya
When and how did you meet?
Eddy: I met Winnie in 2006, we used to pray from the same church, Kitovu Cathedral. Whenever the homily was going on, my eyes would stray to Winnie. I could not hold my emotions towards her.
Winnie: (laughs) I just saw someone at church; little did I know that he wanted to date me.
When did the two of you eventually become close?
Eddy: In the same year, since she was young, I consulted an elder to guide me on how to approach her parents. I went ahead and made my marriage intentions known but her parents turned me down claiming that their child was still studying. I had to wait.
Winnie: Eddy sent someone home to tell my parents that he wanted to marry me. My parents accepted him on condition that we should first study each other and he accepted. He visited my parents and they allowed us to live together.
How was the proposal and how did you react?
Eddy: I proposed a church wedding to her last year. Remember, we have four children.
Winnie: When he proposed marriage to me, I could not believe it. He then told me that we had to register for church banns. I felt as if the whole world belonged to me. I felt very excited and went an extra mile to tell my sister.
What attracted you to each other?
Eddy: She is well-behaved, God-fearing, her family background is good. Oh, she is very beautiful.
Winnie: He is hardworking; he has a good job, he is caring, respectful and handsome.
What was your budget and how did you raise the funds?
Eddy: It was Shs120m, we saved money with my wife, friends and family also contributed a lumpsum from meetings.
Winnie: We opened a wedding and introduction party account. We saved money since we wanted our function to be beautiful and enjoyable. We started meetings with the help of friends and family though we had our savings specifically for the two functions.
What was the most expensive item?
Eddy: My suit was Shs 5m.
Winnie: My wedding gown cost Shs 5m.
Did you involve a wedding planner?
Eddy: Yes, our friend Frank Lubega offered to do it, and everything turned out so well.
Winnie: Yiga was there for me at our introduction. I had no idea concerning organising the party but he did my introduction with love and passion. Everything looked magnificent on my day.
What were you doing in the eve of the wedding?
Eddy: After the introduction ceremony, I had organised a party; I hang out with my friends and family, and then rested for five hours to prepare for the big day.
Winnie: I got enough time to rest in preparation for my wedding.
Were you disappointed in any way during the wedding?
Eddy: Everything went on well since we had a wedding planner, he did a great job.
Winnie: It threatened to rain, other stuff went on perfectly as we expected.
What was the most exciting moment at the wedding?
Eddy: Cruising in one of the most expensive cars. We used a Range Rover Sport 2015 which my father offered . He also gave us five bridal cars.
Winnie: I reached the reception and got surprised to see singer David Lutalo, I got wildly excited as I saw him perform because he is my favourite musician.
Did you go for premarital counselling and what did you learn from it?
Eddy: Yes, we had it at Kitovu Cathedral. I learnt how to handle my wife with respect in whatever she does.
Winnie: I learnt how to control my temper, be more patient, respectful and listen to each other plus avoiding rumour mongers in our marriage.
Did you think going for honeymoon was vital?
Eddy: Yes, we needed to de-stress. I booked with tours and travel and went to Dubai. We enjoyed many interesting places and everything looked different such as sailing vehicles and the dancing fountains.
Who was on your entourage?
Eddy: I chose Herman Jjumba as the bestman because he is my best friend, he has been there for me in hard times. And, I was also his best man at his wedding. The groomsmen were my brothers. I involved them because it was a family affair and wanted them to feel the pleasure of the wedding and borrow a leaf for future’s sake.
Winnie: I chose my sister Sylvia Namugerwa as the maid of honour, I selected my close friends as maids because they showed me lots of love even when we had just started drawing the wedding budgets.
Where did you shop for your attire?
Eddy: I bought them from China including suit, gown, rings and jewellery because we did not find the best of what we had planned for in Uganda.
What is your advice to those planning to wed?
To steer clear of chaos, the couple deployed bouncers who looked fierce and were muscular.
Eddy: Those planning to wed should be honest, faithful and take time to plan for the wedding because once you plan for it, everything moves smoothly.
Winnie: Patience is key in marriage, people planning to marry should keep trust and love. I believe that if a person is meant for you, the right time will come and they will wed you. Please learn each other. Learn what he likes and what he does not, always correct your mistakes, through that, you will be selected out of millions.
Did you have any debts after the wedding?
Eddy: Not at all, we cleared the little balance we had for a few service providers, thanks to the wedding account.
Colour theme
Lemon green and red for both decoration and attire. This is because the two are vibrant and romantic hues which added a celebratory feel to the day. The groomsmen toned this down with black suits that had a white highlight on the lapel
Photography
Despite the hustle some couples go through to take photos in the gardens, Eddy and Winnie took theirs by the pool side at Hotel Brovad, Masaka. This is because of the ample set up.
Exciting
David Lutalo is Winnie’s favourite artiste. Eddy surprised her by inviting the artiste to perform at their reception. The bride got very excited and surprised. She danced herself crazy after exchanging vows.
David Lutalo is Winnie’s favourite artiste. Eddy surprised her by inviting the artiste to perform at their reception. The bride got very excited and surprised. She danced herself crazy after exchanging vows.
Décor
The tiara-like shade for their seat is what the couple chose to add a royal touch to their wedding day. This was a break away from the common tarpaulin tents.
Wedding cake
Ken Ssentume of Cake Centre in Nyendo-Masaka, made the cake it cost Shs 2.5m. All they did was trust a good friend of theirs to make the best for their day.
Ken Ssentume of Cake Centre in Nyendo-Masaka, made the cake it cost Shs 2.5m. All they did was trust a good friend of theirs to make the best for their day.
rides
The couple used a Range Rover Sport 2015 and five other cars that the groom’s father offered. These reflected class and sophistication.
security
To steer clear of chaos, the couple deployed bouncers who looked fierce and were muscular.
Details
Date: December 19, 2015
Groom: Eddy Luswata
Bride: Winnie Nantongo
Church: Kitovu Cathedral
Reception: Misansaala village-Masaka
Budget: Shs120 m
Salon: New Look Salon, Masaka
Rings: Shs 2m
Food: Abas Catering Services, Ssaza, Masaka
Guests: 4,000
Priest: Fr Kasiita
Videography: Power Camera Studios, Masaka
Wedding attire: China
Honey moon: Dubai
