By Godfrey Lugaaju
Emmanuel Bujjingo and Jullian Atukwatse met at Watoto Church Downtown, where they had gone for evening prayers. Jullian had come with a friend who had come with her boyfriend (Emmanuel) whom Jullian had never met.
“She introduced me to him (Emmanuel) but honestly speaking, I did not like his style and size. I tried discouraging her but she kept on telling me how good the guy was and especially his love for God,” Jullian shares.
The relationship Emmanuel had with Jullian’s friend failed but the two became friends. After some time, he got into another relationship with another friend of Jullian, which also did not last.
“The relationship with the person I was dating at that time didn’t work out for reasons related to trust and infidelity. Despite that, we remained friends with Jullian. There was nothing between Jullian and I not until the relationship I was in failed. I then reconnected with Jullian more than an acquaintance,” Emmanuel says.
Jullian tried to act as a ‘go-between’ to see that Emmanuel reconnects with his ex, something Emmanuel says was never going to happen.
Emmanuel says much as he liked Jullian for her striking beauty, especially her alluring eyes, her obedience towards God is what swept him off his feet.
Julian shares that her attraction towards Emmanuel was his spiritual maturity, character and reasoning. She says most people do not like Emmanuel’s principles but that is what she loves the most about him.
“I began to ‘hear’ from God through dreams. God commanded me to leave my ex and wait for him, l could not believe that of all the men out there, God wanted me to wait for Emmanuel. We are happily married and all I can say is that God’s choice is always the best.”
Proposal
Jullian says it did not take long for Emmanuel to propose because they knew each other since they were friends. He proposed before Kukyala without a ring and she said yes because she knew he was the right man for her.
“I really waited for the ring in vain. At some point I gave up, thinking that some things were not meant for me. He finally proposed at a friend’s wedding after six months of dating but since I had given up I thought it would not be a big deal but guess what, it was and it still is because every time I look at the photos and videos they make my day,” she shares.
Emmanuel, who was a best man at a friend’s wedding, proposed by getting the bride to hand over the bouquet of flowers to her signifying that she was next in line.
“As they handed her the bouquet, I stood right behind them, they paved the way and there I was down on my knees holding the ring. She almost fainted. Her joyful celebration drowned my carefully chosen proposal speech. I just put the ring on her finger and later on that night I sent her my speech on Whatsapp,” he shares.
Planning the wedding
Emmanuel says planning for their wedding was not hard except that everything was supposed to be done in the first lockdown when movement was restricted and many businesses were closed. He says the dates were set before the lockdown and when it was announced, they were determined not to change dates.
They had the traditional ceremony (Kuhingira) on June 25, 2020 at Jullian’s parents’ home in Nansana, Wakiso District and the wedding was held the following day.
“We outlined everything we needed for the big day, for example, Church venue, dressing, transport, and honeymoon. We kept everything simple. No exaggerations whatsoever,” Emmanuel says.
Since the couple didn’t hire a wedding planner, they had to be involved in the entire wedding plan. Due to the financial constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic, financing the wedding was a bit challenging but the couple is thankful to the friends who came to their rescue.
“The lockdown came in at a time when we had had our first committee meeting to plan for other general meetings. Since movements were restricted, we mobilised funds from basically family members and close friends,” Julian says.
Fifteen people were planned for the church entourage but due to the set standard operating procedures (SOPs), only 10 people attended the church.
“We had planned to have about 300 guests attending our reception but we revised it to 56 people due to the pandemic,” says Emmanuel.
Memorable
Jullian says their wedding was nice, simple and memorable although they had limited time at the reception because of the curfew. After the wedding, the couple chose to have their honeymoon at Westend Motel in the Tourism City of Fort Portal taking trips around the region visiting the Tooro Kingdom palace, Kyaninga, crater lakes and Amabeere ga Nyina Mwiru.
Dream come true
“The Cinderella gown has always been my dream gown because it gives you that extra fabulous look and thank God I got it, however much the movements were not easy and also accessing the shops was very hard. My makeup and hairstyling was done by Aggie’s Makeup,” Jullian shares.
Challenges
Jullian shares they had to cut the number of guests from 300 to 56 which she says was a difficult task choosing who to invite and who to leave.
He adds that the car in which his in-laws were travelling got a flat tyre an hour to the wedding service and were unable to make it in time but thankfully his brother-in-law arrived just in time to walk Jullian down the aisle.
Advice
Emmanuel advises those intending to marry to purify and sanctify themselves for what they are getting into lest they carry garbage from their past into marriage.
Quick Bio
Date: June 26, 2020
Groom: Emmanuel Chalton Bujjingo
Bride: Jullian Atukwatse
Venue: Piato Restaurant
Suit: Shs300, 000 from Kats Tailors.
Gown: Shs 500000 from Tem Fashion Wear
Cake: Oven Wonders in Ntinda.
Rings: Shs 500,000 from Diamond Jewellers
Entire wedding Budget: Shs 7.5m
Photography: SNAAP Media
Number of Guests: 56
