So how did you meet?

Amos:  I first met Robina in 1981 on her way to church. We were both participating in a mission where she was one of the organisers and I was one of the visitors. Then, I was in Senior Two. She on the other hand was on holiday as she was a grade two teacher.

At the mission, Robina gave her testimony and I liked it.
Prior to that, I had met Robina in 1979 during the Liberation War, at Ishaka. She had travelled a long way on foot from school because of the situation, her luggage on her head. I on the other hand had been sent to Bushenyi to assess the impact of the war. I offered my sympathies and because we were going in opposite directions, wished her well and we both went our separate ways.
We did not meet again until 1984 when I had finished my Senior Four. I started teaching at a secondary school in Bushenyi just near a primary school where she taught.
This created an opportunity to meet quite often because the schools at which we worked were  adjacent to each other. We ended up having fellowship together both in the local church and in the schools. We were acting chaplains in either schools and often invited each other over to speak to students. All this time however, we had never talked about marriage.
On one of those days we happened to work together at a church function; the bishop was visiting. We were both on the organising committee. The function was successful and naturally we stayed behind to clear a few things and that is when I decided to ask her out.
I had gotten to know her really well. I believed she would make a wonderful wife.  I asked her about making a Christian home together. We talked a little more and she shook my hand and just walked out. She left for about 30 minutes and when she returned, she told me she had gone to the altar to dedicate the idea to God. We prayed about it and decided that if God willed it, it would come to pass.
Shortly, I went away to do provincial training while she went on to do her grade three teacher training. We kept in touch, writing to one another and sending messages. We wedded on 17 September 1992.
Robina: Amos and I were really good friends. I remember whenever anything amused either of us, we would wait for each other so we could chat about it.
Even when other gentlemen came to ask for my hand in marriage or wrote me letters I would share with him.
I remember one time a fellow teacher approached me over the same issue. Amos was watching from a distance and after asked me what we were talking about. So I told him that he wanted me to meet him later on to talk, but I wasn’t going to.
Amos convinced me to go any way. I agreed on condition that if I had not returned by 4.00pm, he’d come to rescue me.
At 4.00pm sharp, Amos was at this man’s shop feigning to be a customer of groundnuts. He wanted to make sure I was fine, so I said in a loud voice that everything was okay.
I remember after that incident, I really loved him as my brother. He showed me that he didn’t want me to fall in any danger or that anything bad should happen to me. He had never told me how he felt but I knew he cared about me.
When Amos tabled the idea of marriage I took the matter to God first. I went into the chapel, straight to the altar. Once there I wrote all six names of my suitors and rolled them into separate pieces.
I scattered them on the ground and randomly picked a name. The paper read Turyahabwe. A repeated exercise confirmed to me the Lord’s will.
So I fell to my knees and spoke honestly with the Lord. I told him I was worried about Amos’ situation. Then, he was still studying and he was struggling. Yet he had the qualities I wanted like I always asked him. I told him, “Let it be unto me according to your will.”
Four years later after he was ready and had bought the requirements for our traditional ceremony, we were married.

What attracted you to your each other?
Amos: The first thing was her faith in the Lord. I had known her as a woman who walked with God and for me that was a no-compromise area.
Also when we started dating, she never asked me for anything, be it money to do her hair or any other kind of support. She was never demanding and never materialistic. I do not know what I would have done if she were materialistic because I was struggling at the time.
Robina had this beautiful natural hair that I loved looking at.
Robina: I had five other suitors. They were highly educated, looked very handsome, came from powerful backgrounds, had cars and seemed to have it all. Yet they did not have what Amos had -- salvation.

What have you come to respect most about your spouse through the years?
Amos : Her patience, her spirit of faith and prayer in the family.
Even when we have had challenges, Robina has stood by me and remained supportive.
Robina: Amos and I have met a number of hardships. In fact we began from zero: Sometimes we had no where to stay; sometimes we were hard up on money; at other times we had to be apart when he had to study; but we have remained one.
Amos is still my friend. We always have something to talk about. We have our conversations that we call akasayiti. So when either of us sees something interesting we just mention the word akasayiti and either knows it is story time. He is my best friend.

A word of wisdom
Amos and Robina: Marrieds, stand by your spouse through every situation. Be patient with one another and accept each other after you have made that choice and then be content.
Be open with each other and trust each other. Even when someone comes to tell you they saw your loved one doing such and such a thing, do not just burst out. Wait for them and ask in private.
And do not do anything that will shame God and your spouse. If you are not sure then get on your knees and ask God to direct your path.
Also do not just go and begin to share things about your marriage with just anyone. Learn to tell your spouse everything and if you must involve a third party, ask God to direct you to the right person.
Another thing is to make it a habit not to go to bed without solving conflicts. Even before you pray for the sake of harmony talk it over and forgive each other.
Young people, you need to respect each other’s faith and don’t rush the relationship. It is possible to court for long and still walk in purity.
Also don’t love people for what they have. The posh cars, cell phones and so on are not everything.  That is what will carry you in marriage, not the material.