Mitooma District – The air in Mitooma District was thick with more than just the usual December dust last weekend; it was charged with palpable joy and celebration.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On Saturday, December 27th, all roads led to the scenic hills of Rwebitunda as colleagues, friends, and family from across Uganda and beyond gathered to witness the union of two beloved voices of the airwaves: Daniel Tukundane and his manager-turned-bride, Saviour Kihembo.
The day was a spectacle of glitz, glamour, and heartfelt emotion, marking the beautiful culmination of a professional relationship that blossomed into a lifelong partnership.
A Meeting on Air: From Studio Banter to Sweet Nothings
Their story began not at a social gathering, but within the walls of Voice of Ruhinda radio in Kashenshero, Mitooma, in 2020. Tukundane, the vibrant Production Manager and presenter, found himself reporting to the eloquent and capable Kihembo.
“In the first glance, I picked interest in her,” Tukundane confessed with a smile. “But she was my manager. I feared to tell her.” However, the spark couldn’t be contained. “Finally, I stood on my grounds as a man and told her, ‘I love you.’ She smiled and said, ‘Thank you.”
That simple, hopeful moment laid the foundation for a journey that would see them formalize their relationship with a Kukyala (introduction) on December 26th, followed by a grand wedding just a day later.
A Celebration for the Ages
The wedding ceremony, held at Nyakashebeya Later Glory Healing Ministry Church in Bushenyi, was a moving affair.
It was the reception at Tukundane’s family home in Rwebitunda, however, that truly captured the scale of their popularity and the couple’s warm spirit.
Over four hundred guests from Kampala, Ntungamo, Kabale, Bushenyi, and even neighboring Rwanda defied the festive season hustle to share in their joy.
“Four hundred people are not many to me,” Tukundane chuckled, reflecting on the massive turnout from his colleagues at Radio Thunder in Rubaare, Ntungamo, and other professional circles. The event, orchestrated on a budget of approximately 36 million Ugandan shillings, was not without its pre-wedding anxieties, primarily about finances and guest logistics. A notable absence was that of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, a neighbor, who could not attend due to what Tukundane graciously assumed was a busy government schedule.
The Style that Stole the Show
Amidst the celebrations, one element became a major talking point: the groom’s distinctive and elegant attire.
When asked about his sartorial choice that excited many, Tukundane revealed his inspiration. “I used to see people putting on [the] usual, but I felt to have a different… dressing code. I decided to dress like Banyarwanda.”
His choice was a stunning tribute to regional culture, adding a unique and memorable flair to the proceedings.
Building a Future: Balancing Boardroom and Bedroom
As they embark on this new chapter, the couple faces the unique dynamic of being life partners while maintaining a manager-employee relationship at work. Tukundane addressed this with thoughtful clarity. “It’s quite challenging, but I often try to remember that work and marriage are different institutions. At work, I respect her as my manager. When we get home, she must fulfill all her responsibilities as a lovely wife.”
Their affectionate nicknames for each other he calls her “Ekyooki” (The One) and she calls him “Life Partner” speak volumes about their mutual adoration and partnership.
A Message to All
As the festivities wind down and the couple returns to work forgoing an immediate honeymoon due to the extensive time spent wedding planning Tukundane leaves aspiring couples with profound advice. “Marriage is not always about weddings. It is about the way you live your life with your partner. If you put much focus on the wedding, you will lose out on the actual happiness of marriage. A wedding is for one day, but marriage is meant to last forever.”
With hearts full of gratitude especially to his parents, Mr. Robertson Byabahwamu and Mrs. Peninah Kashemeire, and to Voice of Ruhinda’s founder, Mr. Don Van Allan, for creating the platform where their love story began Daniel and Saviour Tukundane step forward, their voices now harmonized not just on radio, but in the symphony of a shared life.
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