A woman in western Uganda has been sentenced to six months in prison after failing to honour a promise to marry a man who financed her education with the understanding that they would eventually wed.

The woman, Fortunate Kyarikunda, was jailed after failing to comply with an earlier court order requiring her to refund money spent on her studies by her former fiancée Richard Tumwiine – a primary school teacher.

According to court records, Kyarikunda and Tumwiine began their relationship in 2015 while both were working at Kiringa Primary School in Uganda. Their relationship later progressed into a formal promise of marriage in 2018.

During the relationship, Tumwiine financially supported Kyarikunda and funded her studies for a diploma in legal practice at the Law Development Centre in Kampala. The total amount he spent on her education and upkeep is estimated to be Ush9.4 million or Ksh324,210 ($2,510).

The couple had even planned an introduction ceremony ahead of their wedding. However, Kyarikunda later called off the marriage, reportedly saying she could not continue with the relationship because the man was far too older than her and the relationship would cause her emotional and psychological stress.

Following the breakup, Tumwiine took the matter to court, arguing that the money he spent on her education was an investment made in anticipation of marriage.

A magistrate ruled in his favour and ordered Kyarikunda to refund the money and pay additional damages for inconvenience and psychological distress. However, she failed to comply with the court order despite multiple legal attempts to overturn the judgment.

On March 10, 2026, Kyarikunda was arrested while at work and presented before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Rukungiri. The court ordered that she be committed to civil prison for up to six months for failing to pay the money she owed, which had accumulated to Ush14.1 million, plus interest.

She will remain in prison unless the debt is paid before the six-month period expires.

Tumwiine said he opted to pursue justice through the courts instead of taking matters into his own hands after seeking advice from local leaders and police.

He explained that the money used to support Kyarikunda came from his salary, farming and other personal investments. He hopes the case serves as a lesson about the importance of keeping promises.

• A Tell Media report / Source: The Monitor