Talking Relationships: Redefining what really matters, the Red Sofa Sessions
With a cozy ambience, great music, expectant crowd and a truly insightful panel, this month’s red sofa session, the 6th edition was held at the Food Court, Garden City. The 6th edition themed “For this Reason” focused on in-depth relationships issues with special attention to dating, marriage and divorce.
The panel for the 6th edition brought together a wealth of experience and knowledge about Family, Relationships and Love. Panelist consisted of Ms. Susan Nsibirwa, Head of Marketing and Communication at Vision Group; Pr. Chris Nsubuga-Mugga, Pastor at Worship Harvest, panelist on NTV MEN and book author for “The Gold In Fathering”; and Dr. Ruth Senyonyi, Psychologist and Counselor at Bank of Uganda.
Susan Nsibirwa, author of “Coals of Fire” shared her personal marriage story and society perceptions that come with being a well-established single woman. She emphasized the need for women not to feel like victims from failed relationship. Even though she is single now, Susan emphasized that marriage is a commitment that takes two to tangle, if one party is not commitment it will break the relationship. When asked how she coped with the heartbreak and issues of the divorce, she said she is not a victim. Her advice to everyone single or married is to always be self-aware.
The session discussed sex as one of the topic. Dr. Ruth affirmed that sex good indeed very good but only in the marriage context. Sex is a relationship, she said. Chris Mugaga added that sex is love and you can’t grab love from someone, love is given freely. With a funny antelope-hunter story he encouraged the crowd not to take short cuts to sex, like cohabiting, because sex in marriage is beautiful and a place where you give yourself fully with no worries.
While addressing the issue of broken relationships, Beatrice said “because our culture hasn’t fully embraced counseling, most couples look for prayer support and by the time they come for counseling, they are really broken and need more help than they should have gotten if they had come sooner”. If you’re going through relationship issues, please seek help she emphasized.
The event was graced with Steve keys who lead the audience into the worship session with songs like “I look to you”, “Victory belongs to Jesus”, and “Your presence is heaven to me” also singing one of his original songs Nsazewo. Among the nights performers was Exodus, nominated for the Gospel artist of the year #UEA17.
Reverend Senyonyi, husband to Dr. Ruth Senyonyi crowned the panel discussion with a caution to all especially the young people to stay pure. To the marrieds he called for faithfulness.
The seasoned Host Ronnie Habasa and Master of Ceremony Paul Ekky Newman engaged the panelists and the audience in significant dialogues that addressed a considerable range of relationship issues. Present in the audience was the resident counselor from Thrive 360, Beatrice Langariti. The Guest DJ for the 6th edition was DJ PERUZ who kept the house jamming.
Missed out on this session? You can view the live recorded videos at the Red Sofa Ug Facebook page. The 6th Red Sofa Session was sponsored by KAVIBE Uganda, The New Vision, Gospel life, District One, SMS One, Uganda Music Academy and 104.1 PowerFm. The next session will be held at Garden City on the 6th October, 2017.
This article was written by Grace Joyce Kemigisa
