Photo Of Woman Jailed After Refusing To Marry Man Who Paid Her School Fees

A Ugandan court has sentenced a young woman to six months in prison after she failed to honour a promise to marry a man who funded her education, in a case that has sparked widespread debate across East Africa.

The woman, identified as Fortunate Kyarikunda, was ordered to serve the jail term after she failed to refund the money spent on her schooling by Richard Tumwine, a primary school teacher who had supported her studies for several years.

The ruling was delivered on March 10 by Rukungiri Grade One Magistrate Dianah Nekesa, who found that Kyarikunda had breached a promise-to-marry agreement made between the two. 

According to court documents, the woman will remain in prison unless she pays back a total of USh 14,099,100 (approximately KSh 491,000). 

The amount includes tuition fees that Tumwine paid for her education as well as additional damages and court costs.

Court records indicate that the relationship between the two began in 2015 when Kyarikunda was undertaking teaching practice at Kiringa Primary School in Kanungu District. 

During that time, she met Tumwine, and the two developed a close relationship that later evolved into a commitment to marry.

In 2018, the pair reportedly entered into a formal agreement in which Kyarikunda promised to marry Tumwine, while he pledged to support her academic ambitions. 

When she later expressed interest in pursuing a diploma at the Law Development Centre in Kampala, Tumwine agreed to finance her education. Over time, he paid about USh 9.43 million in tuition and related costs.

After completing her studies, preparations reportedly began for the couple’s traditional introduction ceremony and wedding. 

The ceremony had been scheduled for February 2022. However, according to Tumwine, Kyarikunda suddenly backed out of the marriage plans.

Reports indicate that she later declined to proceed with the marriage, allegedly stating that she considered Tumwine too old for her.

Before taking legal action, Tumwine attempted to resolve the matter through mediation. He involved local leaders, family members and friends in efforts to reconcile the two, hoping that the wedding would still proceed. However, the discussions did not produce any agreement.

Frustrated by the failed negotiations, Tumwine filed a civil case at the Kanungu Chief Magistrate’s Court on July 1, 2022, seeking compensation for the money he had spent and the emotional distress he said he suffered.

The court later ruled in his favour, ordering Kyarikunda to refund the tuition fees and pay USh 1 million in general damages for the inconvenience and psychological anguish caused.

Kyarikunda attempted to challenge the ruling by filing applications to overturn the decision, arguing that she had not been properly served with court summons. 

However, the court dismissed her applications after she and her lawyer failed to appear during the hearings.

Following the dismissal, the court issued a civil imprisonment order, sending her to Rukungiri Government Prison until the amount is paid or the six-month period expires. 

The case has since triggered widespread discussions about relationships, financial support and legal obligations within personal agreements.