Woman Jailed Six Months After Breaking Promise to Marry Man Who Paid Her School Fees

By Staff Reporter
A Ugandan woman has been sentenced to six months in prison after failing to repay a man who funded her education under what the court ruled was a promise-to-marry agreement.

Fortunate Kyarikunda, a law enforcement officer attached to Rubanda Town Council, was committed to Rukungiri Government Prison on 10 March 2026 following a long-running legal dispute with Richard Tumwine, a primary school teacher from Kanungu District.

The case stems from a relationship in which Tumwine financed Kyarikunda’s education with the understanding that they would eventually marry. After she later called off the relationship, the court ordered her to refund the money. When she failed to comply with the ruling, the court ordered her imprisonment for up to six months or until the debt is settled.

According to court documents, Tumwine spent approximately USh 9.43 million (about US$2,550) to support Kyarikunda’s studies for a Diploma in Law at the Law Development Centre in Kampala. The money reportedly came from his teacher’s salary, agricultural income, and proceeds from rental properties.

Rukungiri Grade One Magistrate Dianah Nekesa issued the committal order stating that Kyarikunda would remain in civil prison until she pays the amount owed or until the six-month period expires.

Relationship That Began During Teaching Practice

The relationship between the two reportedly began in 2015 at Kiringa Primary School in Kanungu District. At the time, Kyarikunda was completing her teaching practice while Tumwine was already employed as a teacher at the school.

Their relationship grew over the years, and by 2018 the pair had entered into what was described in court as a formal promise-to-marry agreement. When Kyarikunda later expressed interest in studying law in Kampala, Tumwine agreed to finance her education because he believed they were planning a future together.

“I mobilized money from my salary, agricultural produce and rental structures because we were planning a future together,” Tumwine told the court.

After completing her course, the couple began preparations for a traditional introduction ceremony scheduled for February 2022. However, according to court records, Kyarikunda abruptly cancelled the plans.

‘He Is Too Old’

Kyarikunda reportedly told Tumwine she could no longer proceed with the relationship because she felt he was too old for her. She said the age difference would cause her stress if they continued toward marriage.

Tumwine initially believed the cancellation was due to pre-wedding anxiety and attempted to resolve the matter through mediation involving relatives, local leaders and police officers. When those efforts failed, he chose to pursue the matter through the courts.

“I was stressed and did not know what to do with my life,” he said. “I went to court so that I would not take the law into my own hands.”

Court Rules in Teacher’s Favour

In July 2022, Tumwine filed a civil case at the Kanungu Chief Magistrate’s Court through his lawyer, Erasmus Nabimanya.

During the proceedings, the court examined mobile money records which showed that Tumwine had transferred funds to Kyarikunda during their relationship. The magistrate concluded that the money had been provided in the expectation that the relationship would culminate in marriage.

In a ruling delivered in January 2023, the court ordered Kyarikunda to refund the USh 9.43 million spent on her education and to pay an additional USh 1 million in general damages for the distress caused.

However, Kyarikunda did not attend the court proceedings or file a defence.

### Appeals Dismissed

Kyarikunda later attempted to overturn the judgment, claiming she had not been properly served with court summons. Her lawyers argued that her phone had been in her sister’s possession at the time.

The court dismissed the application in May 2025, stating that she had repeatedly failed to appear in court despite filing applications.

With court costs accumulating from the unsuccessful appeals, the total amount owed rose to USh 14,099,100 (approximately US$3,800).

After continued failure to comply with the court order, Kyarikunda was arrested while on duty at Rubanda Town Council and taken before the court in Rukungiri, which ordered her committal to civil prison.

### Mixed Public Reactions

Following the ruling, Tumwine said he was relieved that justice had finally been delivered after years of legal battles.

“All I need is for her to refund my money because she breached the agreement,” he said, adding that the experience had left him emotionally exhausted.

The case has sparked widespread debate across Uganda and the wider East African region. Some commentators argue that financial support given during a relationship should not obligate someone to marry. Others believe the ruling reinforces accountability when agreements involving significant financial commitments are broken.

For now, Kyarikunda remains in prison unless she settles the court-ordered payment.