Mbidde, who recently married Phiona Nayebale, a woman from Ankole, experienced these cultural practices firsthand during their traditional ceremony and believes that Buganda could benefit from adopting certain aspects of these traditions.
DP politician Fred Mukasa Mbidde has urged the Baganda community to take a page from the marriage customs of their Ankole and Rwandan counterparts, particularly in the way gifts are given during wedding ceremonies.
Fred Mukasa Mbidde and his wife Nayebale
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Speaking during a televised programme, Mbidde drew parallels between how Baganda and Banyankole prepare their young couples for family through fights
"For the Banyankore and the folks in Rwanda, the manner in which they prepare for family differs significantly from how we do it here in Buganda. If we don't say these things, our people will not learn," he said.
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Mukasa Mbidde at his introduction
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“The marriage functions 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.”
These gifts, Mbidde explained, provide the newlyweds with a strong financial foundation.
"You will never hear a story that the new couple who just got married has been thrown out of their home over rent."
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Mbidde recently celebrated a lavish wedding with Nayebale, which featured the traditional Ankole customs. His introduction to the Ankole traditions began in December 2019, during the customary "Gusaba" ceremony, where the groom is formally introduced to the bride's family and the bride price is negotiated.
Mukasa Mbidde's wife Phiona Nayebale.
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In contrast, Mbidde lamented that in Buganda, wedding gifts are typically more short-lived.
"Here, the gifts we bring are tomatoes and cabbages which will be consumed in one week. If we are to bring a cow, we bring a dead one (raw meat) as a gift,” he said.
“That means you have not laid a good foundation for this couple to face the world.”
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Mbidde argued that by offering cows, Ankole and Rwandan families set their newlyweds up for success, ensuring they are not burdened with rent and other financial hardships early in their marriage.
Mukasa Mbidde weds Phiona Nayebale
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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.
"We need to change this practice," he stressed, adding that the current Buganda customs often leave couples struggling with raising children, paying school fees, and covering rent.
