A Celebration of Love, Commitment and Friendship


This weekend I was honoured and privileged to be among the audience as our great friends Albert and Elizabeth marked their 25th wedding anniversary!

Surrounded by family and friends, from all over the world, the celebration started with a short and nice service at the Kings Church in Epsom followed by a reception at the Langley Vale Village Hall.

It was a reunion of sorts as some of us in the audience were seeing each other for the first time in over 20 years! We reflected on this beautiful couple’s journey of love, resilience, and commitment to each other, some of the major aspects that have sustained their marriage through life’s challenges.

The celebration was a nostalgic tribute to their quarter-century together. Decorations in silver and white adorned the venue, accompanied by stories of how Albert found Liz and the speed at which things unfolded much to the surprise of friends and relatives then.

The Kitamirikes, both former congregants at Kampala Pentecostal Church (now Watoto) are known to many of us their friends, as the calmest, most loving couple. This celebration was a testament to their commitment to each other and it spoke volumes about not only them but the bonds they have built as a couple with others.

Pastor Segun Oladokun told us in his sermon that marriage is about taking turns at supporting each and I have see this first hand between the two throughout the last 25 years. From those early days of cheering them on as they said “I do” to each other, to today, it’s been a joy to see how they both take turns at lifting each other up as they navigate life’s twists and turns!

They have been our children’s other parents, all these years since we moved to this foreign land and they have helped nurture them into a responsible young man and woman! Their children, Shalom, David and the princess (Joy) are a joy to have in one’s company, a great reminder that the apple does not fall far from the tree.

With a typical smile, Albert thanked every one or group of people by mentioning which part of the country or world they came from, while in a her trademark calm voice Liz reserved her biggest cheer to the Lord, for what He has done in their life. “You our friends and family have been our anchor and celebrating with you today reminds us how blessed we are”, she concluded!

In typical Ugandan style we ended the day with a sumptuous Ugandan meal, (with probably the best Matooke I have eaten on these isles) and by dancing to our best gospel and traditional music from the land.

The Lord blessed us with such good weather for April that everything about this celebration felt so Ugandan. Many of us only remembered that we were not in Uganda when we were told to turn down the music after 9 pm.

Wishing my friends, the next 25 years full of love and happiness as ever, knowing that the best is yet come.

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