A Ugandan court has awarded a man R44 516 in a case he filed against his girlfriend for refusing to marry him.
Richard Tumwine said he fell in love with his ex fiancé in 2015 while teaching at a primary school in the western region of Kanungu, where his exfiancé was doing her teaching practice.
The heartbroken man said he wanted his fiancée to complete her studies before tying the knot which led to the ‘promise to marry’ agreement with her in 2018.
Richard revealed that when his ex fiancé enrolled for a law diploma at a Kampala college. She later asked him to pay all fees of R44 516, to which he agreed.
“I wanted her to complete her studies so that I can marry a well-educated wife that will not be dependent on me,” Richard was quoted.
The couple’s introductory marriage ceremony was set to take place in February of 2022, until the ex fiancé of Richard backed out on the marriage proposal, a law enforcement officer, opted out of the agreement, citing Richard’s age.
“When she disappointed me, I did not take the law in my hands because I knew the repercussions,” Richard said.
Richard revealed that he tried everything possible from the mediation process with his ex fiancé ’s grandfather, as well as “local leaders, the police, relatives and friends… but no positive result was attained.”
“I was advised by my friends to file a civil case in the Kanungu chief magistrate’s court which I did on July 1… and the case was registered as No.24 of 2022. I was happy when the court last week ruled in my favour,” Richard told the publication.
The court last week ordered the ex fiancé of Richard to refund him R44 516 Richard spent on her tuition, and an additional USh.1 million as general damages for inconveniences and psychological anguish.
He said he has since begun prayers for God to give him “a suitable and well-educated woman that I can marry.”
Richard also said the costs awarded to him will go towards sprucing up his house as he prepares for the next chapter of his life.
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Interesting Decision! Promise to Marry. He refused to let go. ? pic.twitter.com/UP45TBPFFD
— Ivan Bwowe (@BwoweIvan) January 25, 2023
