What started as a simple birthday photoshoot quickly transformed into the monumental moment we’d all been waiting for—the proposal. Carefully orchestrated to take place by Jane's Carousel, beneath the towering beauty of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, I finally asked the question that had been running through my mind for months: "Will you marry me?"
But this wasn’t something I pulled off alone. All summer, I secretly teamed up with Stacey’s sister, Samantha Lubowa, to plan an engagement worthy of her. Without Sammy’s priceless advice, gentle nudges, and downright encouragement, this whole thing might have stayed nothing more than a wild dream. She was the mastermind behind every detail.
I also owe a big thanks to Stacey's family and friends—Rowena, the kids, and Shamim—who made the trip with us to NYC. Their support was everything. And while the proposal itself was nerve-wracking, knowing they were all there made the moment unforgettable.
In the end, what started as a birthday celebration turned into the beginning of forever. And I couldn’t be more grateful for the people who helped make it happen, including the unannounced friends and family.
In that moment, I found myself trying to explain why this was so much more than just a birthday photoshoot—it was my way of showing my deep, lifelong commitment to Stacey. But even as I spoke, I could feel the weight of what I was about to do pressing down on me. My nerves were unraveling, and I was on the verge of a breakdown.
What kept me going, though, was the look of pure surprise on her face. And when I saw the tears of joy welling up in her eyes, I was ashamed that I didn’t have any tissues to offer. Instead, I pulled her close into a warm hug, hoping it would calm the both of us before I gathered the courage to move forward with the proposal.
I am forever grateful that you said, "Yes." Thank you, Stacey—for making this moment unforgettable.
Ebibuuzo ebyali wano...
I’ll let you use your imagination to guess all the questions she was firing at me in that moment... hahaha. Meanwhile, I was so nervous that I couldn’t string together a single coherent answer to save my life.
Only the brave souls who’ve been through this rite of passage will truly get what I’m talking about—lol!
I can’t remember exactly what I said to her, word for word, because every single word came straight from my heart. What I do know is that I was pouring out all the love and gratitude I’ve felt for her, trying to put into words what she means to me.
But if there's one thing I know for sure, it's this: when I call her my African Queen, I mean it with every fiber of my being. She truly is the love of my life.
After what felt like an eternity of me laying out my best argument—like a lawyer trying to win a case—I finally dropped down on one knee and asked Stacey to marry me. In that heart-pounding moment, my one desperate prayer was, "Please, Father in heaven, don't let her hit me with the dreaded 'babe, I need some time to pray about it.'"
Thankfully, she said "Yes!"—and the rest, as they say, is history!
These amazing people are our ride-or-die, our reliable support system. We are deeply grateful for their genuine kindness and unwavering support throughout our journey. We especially thank them for joining us on the trip from Boston to NYC and for exploring all the iconic tourist attractions together. Truly, we are blessed and highly favored to have them in our lives.
Elijah Walugembe, my first cousin, holds a special place in my heart. In Kiganda culture, he is considered my maternal uncle, as his father, Prof. Engineer Uncle Kirumira, was my mother’s brother.
Elijah and his wife, Yvete, share a beautiful marriage, and I had the distinct honor of serving as Elijah's Best Man at their wedding in Dallas, Texas, last year. I feel truly blessed to be walking a similar path now, and I am deeply grateful that he and his wife made the journey to join us for such a significant moment in our lives.
#AniMukwanogwo?
This photo is historic because it comes with some legendary stories! First off, it features my cousin, the unstoppable Evelyn Jjingo, who casually drove her Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG for over 9 hours from Ohio to NYC—with four of my nieces and nephews in tow—just to be part of this unforgettable moment. Now, I had randomly mentioned my plan to propose to Eve while she was at a friend's wedding in Montreal, Canada, a couple of weeks before the big day.
When she said she’d come to support me, I honestly thought she was joking—until she started hunting for places to stay in NYC over my birthday weekend. That’s when I realized, "Oh wow, she’s really doing this!" Not only was she serious, but she also packed up her whole family for the trip! I owe you big time, Mama Eve—your support is truly next level.
Then there’s the story of my longtime friend, Ronald Mulindwa, a seasoned New Yorker, who I might have gotten into some hot water when I traveled from Toronto to pop the question under the dazzling lights of the Brooklyn Bridge. During dinner, his wife of over ten years jokingly asked why he never thought of proposing to her in such an iconic setting, despite living in NYC for most of their lives. Oops! Looks like I accidentally set the bar a little too high for Ronnie there—sorry, man!
But Ronnie was a true champ. Not only did he give me some excellent marriage advice and keep the jokes rolling, but he also turned into our personal tour guide for the weekend, leading us to all the must-see attractions. He even secured the reservation for our "birthday dinner" at Alibaba. Your hosting skills were off the charts, Ronnie—I only hope I can return the favor someday!
And as for the Samantha story? Well, that’s one you’ll have to hear at the wedding. So, make sure you lock down that invite ASAP, because trust me, it’s going to be BIG!
The sapphire and diamond engagement ring was inspired by none other than Princess Diana. Over time, I've come to realize that many of the beautiful qualities Princess Diana embodied are also reflected in Stacey—her deep reverence for God, her kindness, her genuine love for children, her passion for community development, and above all, her unwavering loyalty.
Stacey’s presence in my life has been nothing short of a blessing, and I wanted to honor her like the true royalty she is. This ring is a small symbol of the immense respect and love I have for her, a way to show just how deeply she has touched my heart.
God's timing is truly perfect, and I am filled with excitement and anticipation for what the future holds for us. Every step of this journey has been guided by faith, and I know that whatever comes next will be a blessing beyond measure. I can't wait to experience it together.