Mr Benson Muhwezi and Ms Sophie Akankwasa, a couple, have run to court demanding compensation worth Ug Shs 600 million from the Church of Uganda over losses and alleged mental breakdown that they claim after their wedding was cancelled just 48 hours to it.
Petitioning through their counsel, Mujurizi, Alinatwe & Byamukama Advocates, the couple, accuses the Church of Uganda of negligence and basing on rumors to cancel an event that they have waited for all their life.
The two love birds claim that on November 28, 2019, the Church halted their wedding upon the instructions of Reverend Canon John Awodi, the Kampala Diocesan Secretary (whom they attached to the suit in individual capacity). They claim that the halting came about without a valid reason and no fair hearing.
“We went through all the necessary requirements for holy matrimony, including the bans of marriage for 21 days as required by law.” Muhwezi told the Press.
He also added that by that time, they had cleared with all wedding service providers and the cancellation put them in great loss. Canon Awodi in his letter to Rev. Kenneth Karyeija, the Vicar St. Stephen’s Kitara Church of Uganda directed the said wedding to be halted pending resolution of matters relating to Muhwezi’s alleged customary marriage with a one Sarah Kemigisha.
The man of God also explained that the church received an objection to the marriage of the couple from Ms Kemigisha, who claimed legal marriage to the groom since 2001.
“The Church couldn’t proceed with the said marriage since Ms Kemigisha had complained that the issues relating to the custody of their two children hadn’t been resolved.” The Church said in a statement.
