KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the Banyankole community to abandon what he described as excessive bride price demands, warning that the practice is discouraging young people from marrying and forcing many couples to begin married life burdened by debt.
The President made the remarks on Saturday during the Okuhingira ceremony of Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (Economic Monitoring) Alice Kaboyo, and her fiancé, Aaron Kafureeka.
Addressing guests at the traditional giveaway ceremony, President Museveni criticized the growing commercialization of marriage customs, questioning why some families demand large numbers of cattle and substantial sums of money before allowing their daughters to marry.
“You, the Banyankole, are damaging the population with this thing of paying bride price,” the President said. “Why ask for 15 cows and millions of shillings? Why are you selling your children? You make young people fear marriage and, unfortunately, some begin their lives together in debt.”
The President argued that while cultural traditions such as Okuhingira should be preserved, they should not become a financial burden that undermines the institution of marriage.
He encouraged families to focus on the true purpose of marriage rather than material gain, urging parents to build their own wealth instead of relying on bride price payments.
President Museveni also offered advice to the newly engaged couple, reminding them that a successful marriage is built on friendship, mutual respect and independence from unnecessary outside influence.
“I reminded the couple that marriage is for two people. Build your home on friendship and do not allow unnecessary interference,” he said in a message shared after the ceremony.
During the celebration, the President commended the two families for their commitment to wealth creation and paid tribute to departed freedom fighters whose contributions, he said, laid the foundation for Uganda’s stability and development.
He concluded by promising to teach younger generations traditional Banyankole praise-singing, saying preserving cultural heritage should go hand in hand with reforming practices that no longer serve society.
Bride price remains an important part of many Ugandan customary marriages, symbolising appreciation and the union of two families. However, concerns over increasingly high demands have sparked debate in recent years, with critics arguing that escalating costs are delaying marriages and placing unnecessary financial pressure on young couples.
President Museveni has on several occasions called for a return to simpler marriage ceremonies, maintaining that culture should strengthen families rather than create barriers to marriage.
