Najjuko Bushura, 24, who mysteriously disappeared in Kampala last Friday, two days to her wedding has resurfaced, saying she ran away from her home because her mother rejected her Rastafarian fiancé.
Bushura, a resident of Katereke Cell in Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso district who was reported missing, reported to Nsangi Police Station on Tuesday afternoon.
This was confirmed by Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango.
By the time of her disappearance, Bushura had been preparing for her upcoming marriage ceremony scheduled for last Sunday,
March 12, told Police that she was not interested in the man the family wanted her to get married to.
“Najjuko told Police that instead she was interested in another man whom the family didn’t want,” said Onyango
It is understood Najjuko’s family wanted her to marry Faruk Mugalu, a resident of Kagoma.
Najjuko last Friday left her home to Shafuras Bride Make-up Shop in Nakivubo, Kampala for henna
treatment.
Back home, the family was eagerly preparing for her upcoming marriage ceremony.
Instead, Najjuko handed over her changing dresses to All Kivumbi, a boda-boda rider, to take home.
She informed Kivumbi she would follow him later but never showed up, raising concerns about her whereabouts.
Najjuko’s family rushed to police to report a case of a missing person.
Onyango said on appearing at Nsangi Police Station today, Najukko told detectives she “decided to disappear to show the family that she was only interested in the man” they didn’t want.
“She (Najuuko) told Police that she bought the shoes and dresses with the money the family gave her for shopping and she sent a boda boda rider to take them home to show them that she didn’t want the man,” said Onyango.
Najjuko’s case has generated considerable public interest due to the rising cases of forced marriages in the country.
Underage and forced marriages are often promoted by social cultural traditions and some societies still hold them close as a familiar connection to secure a girl’s future.
According to the UNICEF global database 2020, Uganda is home to 5 million child brides and of these 1.3 million are married before their 15th birthday, to grown men.
Many forced marriages are initiated by parents as a way of acquiring wealth in the form of bride price given by the suitor.
Najjuko told Police that since Saturday she has been staying with a friend called Zaina in Makindye, a Kampala suburb.
Police have recorded Najjuko’s statement and handed her over to the parents.
“We appeal to parents not to force their children into marriage that they don’t want,” said Onyango.