President Yoweri Museveni has urged the Banyankole community to abandon excessive bride price demands and extravagant wedding ceremonies, saying the growing commercialization of marriage is discouraging young people from starting families and undermining the cultural value of the traditional Okuhingira ceremony.The President made the remarks on Saturday while presiding over the Okuhingira ceremony of Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of State Minister for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region Alice Kaboyo, at Kakyeera in Kiruhura District. Museveni said demanding large amounts of money and livestock as bride price has turned marriage into a financial burden for many young couples.You, the Banyankole, are damaging the population with this thing of Okujugusa (paying bride price). Why ask for 15 cows and millions of shillings? Why are you selling your children? You make young people fear marriage and, unfortunately, some begin their lives together in debt.Museveni also criticized lavish wedding celebrations, arguing that they place unnecessary pressure on families to spend beyond their means. He used his own marriage to First Lady Janet Museveni as an example, noting that they held a modest ceremony abroad attended by only eight guests at a luncheon.A Pass reveals he is officially a married man (PHOTOS)I have 15 grandchildren. I wedded Maama Janet abroad with only eight guests at a luncheon. These extravagant weddings are going to disturb people. I urge religious leaders to address this issue through their preaching.The President called on cultural and religious leaders to promote simpler marriage practices that preserve the meaning of the Okuhingira ceremony while making it easier for young people to marry without falling into debt. He said reducing the financial demands associated with marriage would encourage more families to embrace the institution and help preserve its cultural significance.The post President criticizes expensive weddings for scaring youth from marriage appeared first on MBU.