PHOTOS: Emotional Moments at Muhwezi Daughter’s Giveaway Ceremony
It was an emotional moment as Presidential advisor in charge of AGOA, Susan Muhwezi and hubby Jim Muhwezi gave away their daughter, Samantha Barungi Muhwezi in Rukungiri, western Uganda this past Saturday.
Susan said she was “full of joy” and “so grateful to God” as she witnessed her little girl step into the full bloom of her womanhood.
Watching Samantha as she stood on the precipice of an extraordinary transformation, Susan was visibly speechless: “God is good. Go and make a home.”
Samantha, who is employed by French oil firm, Total E & P, married her childhood friend Jasi Kassami – the son of deceased former Treasury Secretary Chris Kassami.
Lush bouquets of flowers gave the reception a romantic setting.
The white table cloths stole the show while the florals threw in more texture to enhance the stylish look.
The event was carried live on giant LED screens, allowing about 1,500 guests to follow the humorous and long speeches with ease.
Love, care
Known for speaking her mind, Susan reassured that if Samantha “makes good use of my lectures, she will succeed. I brought her up and she has learnt from me. What you find not good about her, she has got from somewhere else.”
Susan said she remained close to Samantha, her second born, and urged Jasi to treat her with deep love and care.
“If you ever want to hurt me, hurt her. I will continue to treat you Jasi as my own child,” said Susan as neatly dressed waitresses passed around chilled beverages, hot coffee and snacks.
“Samantha, go and be a child in that family. Don’t get there and say I am someone’s wife,” Susan cautioned, adding, “Go and listen to your mother-in-law. No doubt you will make a beautiful home. Put God first and the marriage won’t bust. Seek His guidance at all times.”
Susan also shed more light on Samantha’s traits, saying she’s not a girl one can easily push around.
“Samantha is like me. She’s a fighter. If you touch Jim, I’ll fight,” said Susan as the guests choked on laughter.
She told Jasi that, “You’ve taken a fighter for yourself. If you treat Samantha well, she will move the world for you.”
She recalled that Chris Kassami, who passed away a few years after his retirement, loved Samantha, a former student of St Andrew’s School, Turi, Kenya.
“Thank you for coming to collect your daughter,” an emotional Susan told the bridegroom’s entourage led by former Works Minister John Nasasira.
The ceremony attracted top shots from government, business community and diplomatic world.
Susan used the opportunity to strengthen his relationship with the First Lady Janet Museveni.
“Thanks for being the mother of the nation by setting a good example of knowing God and teaching us who are close to you the value of allowing God in our lives,” said Susan.
“And I thank you for standing strong on the institution of marriage,” she added.
Susan played key roles in preparing the marriage ceremonies of Janet’s daughters, Natasha, Diana and Patience.
“You know I am grateful. Thanks for loving me and allowing your kids to be part of our family,” Susan told Janet.
When Janet took to the podium, she reaffirmed her closeness to Susan, saying their friendship continued to grow in leaps and bounds.
Susan recalled the challenges she faced in marrying a soldier (Jim) at a young age.
“Some of us got married when we were still young. And we married men who were from the Bush. It was not easy,” she said amid a standing ovation from the gathering.
Susan also praised her husband Muhwezi for the unending love despite a few hiccups in their marriage.
“Thank you Jim for loving me and being a father of our kids. We’ve been together for 34 years,” said Susan as the audience cheered her on.
She, however, said she was “patient with Jim” who also “tolerated” some of her traits.
Susan also praised the Nnabagereka of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda who graced the ceremony.
“She’s here with her mother. Imagine all the way to this side. I admire your dignity and things you do for Buganda. The way you carry yourself and uphold your marriage,” said Susan.
Janet speaks out
The event saw the First Lady share her story about the role played by Susan in the marriage ceremonies of the first daughters.
“Susan became my friend many years ago. There was a time I was doing weddings. I trusted her with all these responsibilities. Whenever she committed to executing some assignments, I would not worry about that part. She would not rest till the work was done,” recalled Janet.
“People say men build houses. It is women who turn them into homes. Susan is hardworking. She does great work because she is hardened and is righteous. If I had failed to come for her first daughter’s giveaway, I would have felt ashamed. God doesn’t like such things. Our relation and friendship come from God,” said the First Lady.
“I am glad you obeyed Jim. You worked hard to build a home and encouraged your kids to love God. God does wonders for those who listen to him.”
Janet teasingly said she was not sure about Jim Muhwezi’s religiousness.
“I am not sure of Jim’s closeness to God. But I can attest to Susan’s,” said Janet.
She also spoke about joining politics to serve as Member of Parliament for Ruhaama.
“I just joined the fray. I was never interested in joining politics. I simply listened to God’s voice,” said Janet.
The Minister for Education also praised Constance Kabonero, the mother of Susan Muhwezi, businessman Bob Kabonero and Ambassador Richard Kabonero for helping her mobilize masses during the Ruhaama MP race.
“We became friends. Constance’s kids became mine. Even Mwesigwa Rukutana is now a family member. Constance brought all people of Ntungamo together,” she added.
Speaking to Samantha, Janet observed:
“It’s God who brought you to this day and gave you the man you love. Leave space in your home for God. Make time for Him. Pray together. A family that prays together stays together. That’s my prayer for you Samantha. Make space for Him in your heart and pray together as you start your home. Don’t wait for kids. Just pray. The two of you. If you have been praying together right from the beginning, even if kids leave to start their homes, you’ll remain strong together. That’s my prayer for you.”
Janet hails from the Abayombo clan just like the Kaboneros.
Other clan members are UNRA boss Allen Kagina, former presidential private secretary Miriam Kankunda and Elly Rwakakoko among others.
Janet encouraged the guests to be prayerful.
“I pray for my friends and country. I am a prayer warrior. I have never touched a gun. Even at Kyankwanzi, I don’t step foot at the shooting range. But I pray. And I will pray for Samantha and Susan.”
Muhwezi on religion
As guests gulped beer, Muhwezi took to the podium where he used humor to deflect criticism of not being religious.
“I don’t want to be like the cartoonist Ekanya who said he feared God so much that he feared going to church,” said Muhwezi as the guests burst into laughter.
“I communicate so much to God and he promptly responds to my requests,” said the former Health Minister.
Muhwezi, a former NRA combatant, recalled an incident in 1981 when he survived death by a whisker.
“I was arrested with three friends and we were supposed to be killed in the night. We knew about it. So we grabbed guns from guards and fought our way out of prison. I ended up hiding in my sister’s (Hope Kivengere) room where you now see Uganda Management Institute (UMI). The whole night they were sending troops including Tanzanian soldiers,” said Muhwezi.
“I knew I was going to die. They killed one of us. I called the God of my father and mother because if I had called my God, he would not recognize me,” he added, sending the gathering into rib-cracking laughter.
“I said God, if I am guilty give me away. If I am innocent perform a miracle like I have read in the Bible and let me go away. In the morning I dressed like a woman and went through soldiers and here I am. That’s enough evidence that when I pray God answers me. I am god fearing,” he said.
He described Samantha as a child “who has been excellent. She didn’t cause any problem to us at all because she excelled in every school she attended including Aga Khan and London School of Economics. She completed her Post graduate diploma and Masters in record time. I wanted her to be a doctor but she said she didn’t want to handle blood. She took law and became a lawyer like myself. It’s difficult to give her away.”
Jim said he was happy that Samantha was “getting married in my friend’s family. Kassami was my great friend. Samantha go and make me proud in the Kassami’s family.”
Jim also praised Susan, saying raising Samantha “was her job. She (Susan) is a perfectionist. Everything good you see is because of Susan. But of course with my involvement. I enjoy it because I take the credit. Research shows we need to rest but some people like Susan can work without rest for weeks. I tried to put sleeping pills in her tea but she caught me,” he joked.
Jim said, “If you make your wife a mountain, people will worship her; if you make her an anthill people will walk over her. I decided to make Susan Mount Everest.”
Jim also used the occasion to announce plans to contest again for Rujumbura MP seat.
“You sent me on leave, a decision I respected. Now you’ve asked me to come back, I am at your service,” he said.
The Muhwezis didn’t ask for dowry in marrying off their daughter.
They instead gave the new couple a house and 20 cows.
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