Mock wedding to pay for Oxford University fees

A radio presenter in Uganda is holding a mock ceremony to marry a friend later on Friday – the catch is that guests have to pay to attend as it is to help raise money for Ugandan writer Lulu Jemimah to go to Oxford University.

Ms Jemimah, 32, hit the headlines a few weeks ago when she married herself – to make the the point that in her mind it was preferable to further her education rather than settle down into married life.

She told the BBC Newsday programme that she had been under pressure from her parents to get married instead.

News of the singleton's wedding prompted radio show host Siima K K Sabiti to joke with friend Bernard Mukasa that they should marry to get people off their backs too.

This led to plans for a massive wedding party with tickets going towards Ms Jemimah’s crowdfunding efforts to raise £10,000 ($12,000) to do a masters degree in creative writing at Oxford University in the UK.

“We’re hoping to make a difference – we’re in a Uganda shilling economy, Lulu’s got to raise her fees in pounds. I’m feeling positive that we can make some contribution to helping her finish her degree," Ms Sabiti told the BBC.