lifestyle 17 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Juma Ssegujja and Mercy Nassolo: Building a marriage on patience and simplicity
A chance encounter at a Makerere University career fair blossomed into a relationship for Juma Ssegujja and Mercy Jorine Nassolo, who intentionally built their love towards marriage with patience and a focus on meaning over spectacle. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/heart-to-heart/they-did-not-rush-love-they-built-it-into-marriage-5500394
Juma Ssegujja and Mercy Jorine Nassolo’s love story began not with a bang, but with a quiet conversation at a Makerere University career fair in March 2023. Juma, then 28 and a banker, was sharing insights with students, while Mercy, a 25-year-old Agribusiness Management finalist, was initially just passing through.
Mercy approached Juma for guidance, and though he had no immediate romantic intentions, he offered assistance. What followed was a gradual unfolding – consistent messages, shared silence, and growing familiarity. “Jomma was consistent in texting, and he still is to this day,” Mercy remembers.
By June, their connection deepened. Juma found Mercy disciplined, intelligent, and grounded, noting their comfortable age difference. Mercy saw Juma as intentional, thoughtful, and visionary. Their first date at Forest Park in Buloba mirrored their approach: simple, shared, and comfortable, despite their financial constraints at the time. “I felt comfortable because I knew we would build together,” Mercy reflects.
Their relationship was tested by distance after Mercy moved upcountry for a job. Juma encouraged her return to Kampala, which she did, securing a role with ABSA Bank. They maintained their bond through long phone calls and prayer.
Three years into their relationship, external pressures mounted as friends married. During a 2025 Hallelujah Challenge, Mercy prayed for clarity. In March 2026, Juma invited her to meet his father at KK Beach, where both families revealed that their traditional ceremonies, kukyala and introduction, were imminent.
The kukyala ceremony, held on March 7, was planned with calm determination and a modest budget, prioritizing meaning over extravagance. The introduction followed on May 16, with Juma’s family focusing on simplicity and clear planning, while Mercy’s family infused the celebration with music and warmth.
For their wedding, they eschewed grandiosity. Opting for Fairway Hotel for its ease and control, they kept their guest list intimate (around 60 people) and sent digital invitations intentionally. Juma explained, “Information is an asset only if you have the finances.” Their vows were exchanged on June 21 at the Wakiso District Headquarters with a few witnesses, followed by photos and a small lunch.
The reception the following day was calm and heartfelt, with close friends serving as MCs. The absence of pressure, due to early planning, was a lasting impression. “We were stress-free because everything had been planned early,” Mercy shares.
For Juma and Mercy, love is now a practice encompassing commitment, trust, patience, communication, and intentionality. They advise couples to talk openly, save together, seek counseling, and prepare early, dreaming of future milestones like children and building a home. Their story, built on consistency, planning, and meaning, offers a testament to a love that arrived fully formed in its own time.