By Alex Balimwikungu
The last time socialite Zari introduced a man (her now late husband Ivan Ssemwanga), she rejected the bride price of 100 cows. She reasoned that she was worth a herd of 300 heads of cattle – 100 cows for each of the three children she bore with Ssemwanga – and he duly obliged. That was in 2011.
Fast forward. In 2023, her bride price dropped. Zari has disclosed that her husband, Shakib Lutaaya, only gave her a Koran as bride price during their wedding.
Zari and Shakib tied the knot recently at a private Muslim wedding that was attended by their close people.
In the Islamic tradition, at the time of marriage, the couple or the couple’s family negotiates what is called the Mahr, which is a gift, or a promise of a gift, to the wife by the husband.
Zari, however, insists the Koran is of more sentimental value.
She says she has almost everything she wants in life, and that is why she went for a Koran.
“I have had everything I have ever wanted in this world. God has blessed me. I have a beautiful life; my kids are okay and my business is thriving and I get gigs here and there. I’m blessed enough… so, for me, I only asked my husband for a Quran because I’m trying to up my faith game. I’m a Muslim sometimes. He was even surprised when I told him that. So, he bought me one so that is it, only a Quran,” Zari said.
