On 15th January 2015, African Woman Magazine, in partnership with Kampala Serena Hotel and Rwanda Airways launched an exciting valentine’s Love Campaign dubbed ‘Celebrate Love’.
Through the campaign, the magazine hopes to give one couple a Valentine’s Day experience of a lifetime by way of a fully paid weekend trip to one of the Serena Hotels in Nairobi and a return air ticket aboard Rwanda Airways. The first and second runner ups will get to have romantic dinners at Pearl and Explorer restaurants at Serena Hotel Kampala respectively. The nominator of the winning couple wins themselves a full course dinner at the Lakes Restaurant.
As per the guidelines, inspiring couples were nominated via Facebook, after which the five most deserving were chosen by a panel of judges from African Woman and its partners.
At this point in the campaign, the power to make one of these couples’ dreams come true is completely in you the readers’ hands; because the winner will get chosen entirely based on your votes.
Below are our top five couples and their stories:
Couple 3
Godfrey and Emily Katamujuna have weathered some heavy marriage storms, and have survived to tell the tale.
After a life threatening stroke rendered Godfrey incapable of looking after his family, his wife Emily stepped up to the plate as provider and fought to keep the family afloat. At a time when a weaker woman would have packed her bags and left, Emily stuck by her husband and struggled to pay mounting medical bills, school fees, and feed her family.
Ndyamuhaki Sydney-who nominated the couple- is inspired by her parents’ love because to her, ‘True love is one that can withstand the storm and still love each other. My dad is recovering slowly but I am glad he chose a true African woman whose love is unconditional irrespective of the circumstances the world throws at them.’
Cast your vote for Godfrey and Emily to win a well deserved romantic trip to Serena Nairobi courtesy of Serena Hotels and Rwanda Airways.
To vote for Godfrey and Emily, click here.
COUPLE 6
Couples rarely survive long distance relationships, but Deo Kizito Mukwaya and Wuman Rwakafuuzi were able to defy the odds and successfully make it to the altar.
The couple met in 2010 and instantly fell madly in love with each other. Unfortunately, the honeymoon period of their relationship was immediately cut short when Wuman left the country for further education. Though they missed each other terribly, they kept in constant contact and communication through frequent phone calls.
Four years later, Wuman got done with school; and with their love still going strong, the two finally got their happy ending when they tied the knot on 20th-December-2014.
Wuman had this to say about their love, ‘Even with the long distance relationship, we still made it. Thank God.’
Help this couple celebrate their triumph over the hurdles of a long distance relationship by voting for them to win a trip to Serena Hotel Nairobi courtesy of Serena Hotels and Rwanda Airways.
To vote for Deo and Wuman, click here.
COUPLE 8
The great thing about love in the internet age is that it can be found a click away.
41 year old South African single mother Thandiwe Mvula and Kenyan single father Kenneth Waicigo have been dating for at least three years, but have never met. Since meeting on a dating website in 2011, the couple has conducted their relationship entirely through phone calls and social media networks like what’s app and Facebook.
Although monetary constraints have made it impossible for them to be in the same place, Thindiwe and Kenneth strives to have as normal a relationship as possible by sharing their daily experiences, problems, offering support and advice, and being there for each other.
Their greatest wish is to physically meet so that they can get to hold hands, kiss, and have actual face time instead of always day dreaming about it.
Thandiwe Mvula says,’We would not have done this up to now if it wasn’t for the love we have for one another, hope and faith that one day we will meet irrespective of our financial issues.’
Make Kenneth and Thindiwe’s dream to meet for the first come true this valentine; vote for them to win a trip to Serena Nairobi courtesy of Serena Hotels and Rwanda Airways.
To vote for Thandiwe and Kenneth, click here.
Couple 5
Carol Namulindwa and her boyfriend Christopher Magezi have been together since August 2011, and officially since 7th-March-2012.
University relationships can be fickle but Carol and Christopher were able to parlay their young love into something valuable and long lasting. They have gotten through school, graduation and work together; and are now parents to a son who was born in their last year of university.
Carol believes that a trip to Nairobi would be the perfect way show her boyfriend appreciation for being a great partner . She says, ‘I could not ask for a more loving and caring person and would love for this valentine to be special.’
Help Carol celebrate Christopher; vote for them to win a trip to Serena Nairobi courtesy of Serena Hotels and Rwanda Airways.
To vote for Carol and Christopher, click here.
COUPLE 1
Mr and Mrs Moses and Sarah Ogola are that rare couple that are selflessly serving and empowering people who have been affected by HIV\AIDS in their community and the country.
Sarah Ogola, especially, has dedicated her life to tirelessly working with, educating and counseling people and orphans living with HIV\AIDS through the organization Uganda Cares. As a result, she has had a powerful and positive impact on countless struggling with the dreaded HIV positive diagnosis.
Rachel Elsy, who nominated the couple, had only the loveliest comments about Sarah,’ Her kind heart has helped those who are positive to have hope and live longer because now they know that HIV positive is not the end of life; they can still have goals and achieve success.’
Celebrate this important and inspiring couple by casting your vote for them to win a trip to Serena Nairobi courtesy of Serena Hotels and Nairobi Airways.
To vote for Moses and Sarah , click here.
