Frustrated Ugandan lady marries herself as parents dodge fete

Lulu Jemimah Photo:Courtesy

A single Oxford University student sick of being asked when she was tying the knot got married to herself and the entire day cost just £2 approximately Sh265.

Lulu Jemimah, 32, was fed up of her family lecturing her on the importance of settling down with the right man.

But marriage is the last thing on her mind as she studies a masters in creative writing at Oxford.

So to get her parents off her back she decided to stage a full mock wedding and sent formal invites out to her pals.

She hired a dress, walked through the venue to the traditional wedding march and even gave a speech to her guests explaining the lack of a groom.

Lulu admits her Ugandan parents are baffled by her decision - but said she feels it was the perfect commitment to herself and her studies.

Lulu is all smiles after marrying her self Photo:Courtesy

And the entire day cost Ksh260 for her taxi to the pub venue - as she managed to get the rest of her big day for free or as gifts from pals.

Proudly single Lulu said: "I have a strong passion in life and I am committed to achieving my goals at becoming an academic.

"But all my family wanted to ask me was when I planned to get married, which is very important back in Uganda, followed by when I would be having children and starting a family.

"Every birthday my mother prayed for me and in recent years this has included a plea for a good husband. But I just didn't want to think about walking up the aisle. It's not the thing which keeps me up at night.” she said.

Lulu previously worked as a freelance journalist and a communication consultant for the International Organisation for Migration.

But in 2013 she received a BA Media (film) scholarship from Macquarie University in Australia.

After completing her studies in Australia, she turned her attention to the UK and applied to Oxford University to do a master’s degree, which she started in August 2017.

But all her parents could think about was when she was going to get a boyfriend and tie the knot, she claims.

Lulu says she was tired of being asked when she will get married Photo:Courtesy

Lulu returned home to Uganda for her birthday in August and was planning a "low key" celebration, until friends convinced her otherwise.

She joked she'd "show up in a wedding dress" but the idea stuck.

She arranged the last-minute ceremony at Quepasa Bar in the Ugandan capital Kampala on August 27, her 32nd birthday.

A friend who works as a web designer made and printed her invites, and her friend paid to hire her dress, while her brother baked her cake.

Lulu added: "As soon as I sent these out I immediately received phone calls asking who the groom was. I told people it was a surprise.

"It's shocking the price of wedding gowns in Uganda but when I told them I was marrying myself they offered to find me their cheapest dress. I did feel a bit crazy trying on the dress and explaining that I was marrying myself.

"It really is a special moment and I understood more than I had the excitement around weddings."

Her parents didn't attend the big day.

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