When Mercy Anyait returned Shs9m to Bill Wambaka without a single coin missing, he knew there was something special about her.
The money was part of a savings arrangement the two had started while they were still friends. Each would keep the other’s money without making withdrawals, a simple arrangement that would eventually reveal much about their character and strengthen the bond between them.
Their story began in 2023 when Bill, now a medical officer at Bombo Military Hospital, was preparing for his internship. Through a friend, he was introduced to Mercy, a records officer at the University of World Mission Frontier, to help her get care for her ill mother.
Bill helped her secure the care she needed. By the end of the year, Mercy’s mother had recovered, but Bill had also begun noticing the daughter.
Despite the demands of his work and the pressure that came with attending to many patients, he was drawn to Mercy’s patience and understanding.
‘I noticed her patience and humility, even with the nature of my work, which could sometimes be demanding, and I decided to pursue her,’ Bill says.
Their shared Christian background as born-again believers gave them another point of connection.
Mercy, however, was not ready to enter a relationship. She worried about the demands of Bill’s profession and the amount of time it required him to spend at work. It took her more than a year to consider giving the relationship a chance.
A test of trust
At the time, Mercy was also dealing with financial challenges as a student, including a tuition balance. Balancing her studies with part-time work became difficult and contributed to a period of depression.
Bill supported her and suggested that they save together. The arrangement allowed each of them to keep the other’s money without withdrawing it.
‘To ensure she was confident with me saving her money, I opted to save a larger sum with her,’ Bill recalls.
Eventually, Bill’s savings reached about Shs9m. Mercy became uncomfortable keeping such a large amount and suggested that the money be banked. Bill asked her to deliver it to him.
‘I was uncertain whether I would receive the entire amount, but she handed it over in full,’ he says.
For Bill, that moment revealed a quality he valued deeply.
‘Despite the financial challenges she had, the fact that she could handle large sums of money without using any impressed me. I also admired that she had saved with a purpose,’ he says.
The experience strengthened their confidence in each other and later led them to open a unit trust, through which they have continued saving.
From friendship to love
Bill admits that getting Mercy to agree to a date was not easy. Whenever he asked her out, she often had an excuse. He remained persistent, however, continuing to communicate with her by phone. Eventually, Mercy agreed to meet him as she prepared to complete her university studies.
Bill had just returned from a night shift and had little time to prepare, but he was excited to finally have the opportunity.
‘We met at a guest house in Makerere, and we were both a bit nervous. When I asked her to have something to eat, she only asked for water. But regardless, we enjoyed the day,’ he recalls.
Their relationship also grew through something important to Bill; farming.
He often spoke to Mercy about his farm, and she began visiting whenever she could. Sometimes she travelled long distances on a motorcycle to get there, without first asking Bill for transport money.
She did more than visit. She participated in research and brainstorming, giving Bill a glimpse of what it might be like to work alongside her.
‘I admired her independence, simplicity and willingness to contribute to something that we could build together,’ he says.
Those experiences gradually changed the way they saw each other. What had started as friendship was becoming a partnership.
By the end of 2025, Bill was convinced that Mercy was the woman he wanted to marry. Although Mercy was still cautious about the speed at which things were progressing, they held their Kukyala ceremony in December 2025. During this ceremony, Bill had the opportunity to engage more closely with Mercy’s father, whom he described as supportive and understanding.
The process came with financial challenges. As an Iteso, Bill was expected to provide cows, goats, and other items required by Mercy’s family. He was determined to fulfil these obligations, but raising the necessary funds took time.
Meanwhile, the couple wanted to proceed with their wedding, and the church required a three-month letter of introduction.
Mercy’s father helped ease the process by providing the required introduction before the bride price had been fully settled. With limited funds, the couple had to decide how to allocate their money.
‘The money I had was not enough, so I asked my wife which event we should prioritise. Since both of us are born-again Christians and her parents are pastors, we agreed to invest more in the wedding,’ Bill explains.
They opted for a small introduction ceremony in Kumi, attended by about 50 guests from both sides. Bill’s brother, Rogers Makwasi, assisted in securing the necessary cows and transporting them to the venue.
Saying ‘I do’
For their wedding preparations, the couple relied on their savings, as well as financial support from family and friends, much of which was organised through social media. Their savings allowed them to secure various services, as many providers required deposits of up to 50 percent.
They formed an organising committee, and Bill’s colleagues swapped duties with him to give him time for the preparations. Mercy used her weekends and days off to coordinate the wedding, including arranging a customised gown and accommodation for her parents, who had travelled from the village.
On June 6 this year, the couple exchanged vows at Watoto Church. For Bill, one of the most memorable moments was seeing Mercy walk into the church accompanied by her father.
‘Mercy’s father is an organised gentleman. When I explained to him what we needed, especially regarding the schedule for that day, he made it happen,’ Bill says.
They held their reception at Kololo Courts Hotel, a decision that helped them avoid costs associated with an outdoor venue, such as tents and potential weather disruptions. The couple invited 230 guests and requested confirmation of attendance, which helped them plan accordingly.
Traditional dancers, photography, and an energetic audience added to the celebration, but one moment stood out for Bill.
Watching Mercy dance was among his favourite memories of the day.
Building a life together
For Bill and Mercy, marriage is about commitment, communication, prayer and understanding each other’s needs. They encourage couples to spend time on meaningful activities beyond dates, saying shared experiences such as farming, saving and working towards common goals helped them understand each other better.
They continue to use a joint to-do list to track their plans, while enjoying travel and trying new foods. Looking ahead, they hope to grow their savings and farm, have children and pursue their shared goals, building on the trust that first brought them together.