They have been asked, ‘are you two related?’ more times than they can count. Geoffrey Rurekyera and Mellon Kasande just laugh, then explain, again, that they are husband and wife, not siblings.
For most couples, public attention typically comes from romantic photos, engagement announcements, or wedding celebrations. However, Geoffrey Rurekyera and Mellon Kasande often draw attention for an unexpected reason: people frequently ask, ‘Are you two related?’
The couple, who married in January, have spent years explaining to strangers, friends, and even social media followers that they are husband and wife, not siblings.
‘It has happened so many times that we now laugh about it,’ Geoffrey says. ‘People always think we are brother and sister because of how much we resemble and how close we are.’
These comments began long before their wedding. Geoffrey, the station manager of Kazo FM in Kazo District, first met Mellon, a social worker based in Mbarara City, during a friend’s birthday party in Kazo Town in 2022, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘I noticed her immediately,’ he recalls. ‘She was calm, beautiful, and simple. I felt drawn to her instantly.’ After being introduced by a mutual friend, the pair exchanged contact information and began communicating regularly. What started as casual conversations gradually turned into a deeper connection.
‘We discovered we had many things in common,’ Geoffrey says. ‘We both loved peaceful environments, valued prayer, and enjoyed simple moments together.’
A first date
About two weeks after their initial meeting, Geoffrey invited Mellon to lunch at a hotel in Mbarara City. To keep the atmosphere relaxed, he brought along a friend, while Mellon was accompanied by her sister.
‘I was nervous because I wanted everything to feel natural and comfortable,’ he recalls.
‘When she arrived, she was wearing simple trousers and a blouse, along with the same smile I had noticed at the party.’
What was intended to be a short lunch turned into hours of conversation about family, work, faith, and personal dreams.
‘We laughed a lot and spoke freely without pretending to be anyone else,’ Geoffrey says.
‘By the end of the day, I already knew I wanted to see her again.’
For Mellon, Geoffrey’s humility stood out from the very beginning.
‘He is soft-spoken, kind, and humble,’ she shares. ‘That is what attracted me to him.’
As their relationship grew stronger, so did the comments about how much they resembled each other.
One of the moments Geoffrey remembers most happened in 2023 while the couple were relaxing at a hangout in Mbarara.
‘We were seated talking and laughing when some people passing by started debating whether we were a couple or siblings,’ he says with a smile.
‘One of them said we resembled each other so much.’
The reactions only intensified online. Geoffrey, who has a large TikTok following, says many people flooded their engagement photos and videos with comments questioning whether the two were siblings.
‘Some people kept asking why I was marrying my sister,’ he says. ‘Even during our wedding preparations, there were still people making those comments.’
Instead of letting the remarks bother them, the couple chose to embrace the humour in the situation.
‘At first it felt strange,’ Mellon says. ‘But eventually we got used to it because we understood people were just reacting to how close and comfortable we are with each other.’
The proposal
After two years together, Geoffrey decided it was time to take the relationship to another level.
On April 24, 2025, he organised a surprise proposal at Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara City.
‘I was excited but also very anxious,’ he says. ‘I kept thinking about every possible outcome.’
The nerves quickly disappeared when Mellon said ‘yes’.
‘It was overwhelming happiness,’ Geoffrey recalls.
‘I felt relieved and peaceful because I knew I was taking a big step with the woman I loved.’
For Mellon, the proposal marked the beginning of a new chapter she had already imagined in her heart.
‘During our courtship, I had already realised he was the person I wanted to spend my life with,’ she says. ‘My answer was always going to be ‘yes’.’
A wedding filled with joy
After receiving blessings from both families, wedding preparations officially began. Geoffrey says their parents fully supported the relationship, especially because the two families had known each other for years.
The couple also attended pre-marital counselling sessions where they learnt the importance of communication, trust and teamwork in marriage.
On January 9 this year, Geoffrey and Mellon exchanged vows at Emmanuel Cathedral Rushere in Kiruhura District in front of more than 1,000 guests.
The ceremony was officiated by North Ankole Bishop Emeritus Stephen Namanya, who is also Geoffrey’s cousin.
From the decorations and music to the brass band and reception, the couple describe the wedding as colourful and memorable.
‘Everything went smoothly,’ Geoffrey says.
‘If I had the chance to change anything, I would only take more photos.’
Advice
Today, the couple say the comments about being siblings no longer bother them. Instead, they see them as part of a unique love story they will probably keep explaining for years to come.
‘Marriage is a journey that needs patience, understanding and communication,’ Geoffrey says. ‘You have to support each other and keep God at the centre of everything.’
And whenever strangers still ask if they are related, the couple simply laugh and correct them one more time.