A court in Rukungiri District, southwestern Uganda, has sentenced a woman to six months in prison after she failed to repay a man who had financed her education following a promise that they would eventually marry.
The Rukungiri Grade One Magistrate’s Court convicted Fortunate Kyarikunda and ordered her to refund more than 5 million Rwandan francs to Richard Tumwiine, who had supported her financially during her studies after she allegedly assured him they would live together as husband and wife.
Court records indicate that Tumwiine and Kyarikunda first met in 2015 while both were working as teachers at Kiringa Primary School in Uganda. Their relationship gradually developed, and by 2018 the two had reportedly agreed to build a life together.
During that period, Tumwiine provided financial assistance to Kyarikunda and covered the costs of her studies as she pursued professional training in law. The total amount he spent on her education was estimated at more than 3 million Rwandan francs.
After completing her studies, the couple reportedly began preparing for their wedding, which had been planned for February 2022. However, Kyarikunda later called off the relationship, explaining that she no longer wished to proceed with the marriage.
According to reports presented before the court, she cited a significant age difference between them as the reason for ending the relationship, noting that she was in her 30s while Tumwiine was in his 60s.
Feeling deceived, Tumwiine decided to pursue legal action, arguing that he had provided financial support on the understanding that Kyarikunda would eventually become his wife. He asked the court to order her to repay the money he had spent on her education and other expenses.
In 2023, the court ruled in Tumwiine’s favor and ordered Kyarikunda to reimburse more than 3 million Rwandan francs, along with one million Ugandan shillings in damages for emotional distress.
Despite the ruling, Kyarikunda failed to comply with the court’s decision. On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, she was arrested at her workplace in a legal services firm for failing to honor the court order requiring her to repay the money.
Following her arrest and continued non-compliance with the ruling, the court sentenced her to six months in prison. With additional penalties and damages included, the total amount she is required to pay now exceeds 5 million Rwandan francs.
