A dramatic love story in western Uganda has ended in court and prison after a relationship built on promises, money, and expectations fell apart.
How the Relationship Began
In 2015, Richard Tumwiine, a primary school teacher from Kanungu District, met Fortunate Kyarikunda while they were both working at Kiringa Primary School in Kambuga Sub-county. Over time, the two developed a close relationship and eventually became romantically involved.
As their relationship grew stronger, they began discussing marriage and planning a future together. Tumwiine believed Kyarikunda would become his wife, and because of that belief, he started supporting her financially.
Supporting Her Education
Tumwiine reportedly spent a large amount of money on Kyarikunda over several years. The biggest part of the money was used to pay for her studies at the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Kampala, where she was pursuing a Diploma in Legal Practice. This course is required in Uganda for law graduates who want to practice as lawyers.
Court records later showed that Tumwiine spent about Shs9.4 million on her education and other needs. He said he raised the money from his teacher’s salary, farming activities, and rental income because he believed they were building a life together.
By 2018, the couple had agreed that they would marry. They even began preparing for a traditional introduction ceremony, which was planned for February 2022. Everything seemed to be moving toward marriage.
The Relationship Falls Apart
However, just when the wedding plans were expected to begin, the relationship suddenly collapsed.
According to Tumwiine, Kyarikunda told him she no longer wanted to continue the relationship. She reportedly said that he was too old for her and that being in the relationship was causing her stress.
At the time, Tumwiine was said to be in his 60s, while Kyarikunda was in her 30s.
The decision left Tumwiine feeling betrayed. After years of financial support and emotional investment, he believed Kyarikunda had broken a serious promise.
The Case Goes to Court
In response, Tumwiine decided to take the matter to court rather than handle it through personal conflict.
He filed a case accusing Kyarikunda of breach of promise to marry and demanded that she refund the money he had spent supporting her education and welfare.
In January 2023, the Kanungu Grade One Magistrate’s Court ruled in Tumwiine’s favor. The court ordered Kyarikunda to:
Refund Shs9,439,100 that Tumwiine had spent on her.
Pay Shs1 million in general damages for the emotional distress caused.
However, Kyarikunda did not comply with the court order.
Attempts to Avoid Payment
Kyarikunda later filed petitions claiming that she had never received the court summons. She argued that her phone had been used by her sister at the time the court notices were sent.
The court reviewed her explanation but rejected it, ruling that she had been properly notified.
Despite several opportunities to settle the debt, she still did not pay the money.
Arrest and Imprisonment
On March 10, 2026, authorities arrested Kyarikunda while she was on duty at Rubanda Town Council, where she worked as a law enforcement officer.
She was taken to the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Rukungiri to answer for failing to follow the earlier court order.
By that time, the unpaid amount had increased to Shs14,099,100, including additional costs.
Chief Magistrate Dinah Nekesa ordered that Kyarikunda be committed to civil prison for up to six months, unless the money is paid.
Reactions to the Case
Tumwiine’s lawyer, Erasmus Nabimanya, welcomed the court’s decision. He said the ruling was necessary because Kyarikunda had deliberately refused to obey the court order for a long time.
Tumwiine himself said he chose to follow legal procedures instead of reacting emotionally.
“I mobilized money from my salary, agricultural produce, and rental structures because we were planning a future together,” he explained earlier.
A Costly Lesson
What once started as a hopeful love story ended in a legal battle and imprisonment. The case has sparked conversations about the risks of mixing romantic promises with financial support.
For Tumwiine, the court ruling may not heal the heartbreak, but he believes it sends an important message: promises—especially those involving money and marriage—should be taken seriously.
For Kyarikunda, the relationship that once promised a future has instead become a costly lesson about love, trust, and responsibility.
