At about 1:45 pm on November 18th, 2023, Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV and Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi recited vows and exchanged rings nearly 10 minutes later in a sacred symbol of eternity.
By this time, chants of praises were being heard from Loyalists in Christ Cathedral Bugembe, Jinja City, witnessing as Busoga made history regarding the Busoga Royal wedding.
Before the Royal Wedding event at Christ Cathedral, the Kyabazinga set off from his father’s home in Budhumbula at 10:00 am. Every trading centre felt the magnetic pull as his motorcade snaked through rings of people that had lined up the road as early as 7:00 am.
At 10:30 am, Inhebantu’s motorcade also left her father’s home in Mayuge district.
The Kyabazinga arrived at 12:15 pm to piercing ululations. The crowd was frenzied with some whipping out phones to capture the King as he marched majestically, ever so slowly, in what appeared to be a choreographed walk led by the clergy.
His trademark goatee had grown a few inches and his look was a mixture of relief and elation.
Then, the old Christian hymn: Standing on the promises of Christ, my king, ushered the guests into the wedding mood at Bugembe cathedral.
At 12:30, his better half, Jovia Mutesi, also arrived at the cathedral in a black Range Rover and was received by Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister, Dr. Joseph Muvawala who later handed her over to her father, Stanley Bayole, who walked her down the aisle.
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, welcomed the bride into the church and she nestled on the left side of the groom.
Inhebantu Mutesi was clad in an all-over lace long sleeve mock neck wedding dress, while Gabula was in his purple royal robes.
At 1:40 pm Kazimba summoned the couple to exchange the vows, he asked whether anyone in the crowd had a reason for them not to wed and the response of Wazira yonayona (there is no reason) elicited ululations.
The vows were exchanged with each of them swearing to love, respect and cherish each other.
“I William Nadiope, take Jovia Mutesi to be my wife,” Kyabazinga said.
On her part, Mutesi said: “I Jovia Mutesi, take you William Nadiope to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for education, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death.”
The King, with a little help from Kazimba, held the microphone and uttered the words “I will.” Boldly amidst ululations from his subjects.
At 1:52 pm, the Kyabazinga placed a ring on Inhebantu’s left finger and said “Jovia Mutesi, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage.”
At 1:55 pm they were pronounced husband and wife. Kazimba asked the crowd to stand up and take the witness vow by declaring that they uphold the couple’s marriage and support the Kyabazinga and Inhebantu as they embarked on the monogamous marriage journey.
The crowd, which raised hands pointing towards the couple, prayed for them.
The Nabagereka of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda signed on the Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi’s marriage certificate after witnessing her (Inhebantu) vows with her husband.
While at the cathedral, Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo announced President Yoweri Museveni’s customary gift of 20 cows to the Kyabazinga and Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi.
In his remarks, President Museveni emphasized the desire for cross-cultural and regional unity if the country is to grow and reach further heights.
From the cathedral, the Kyabazinga and Inhebantu Mutesi made a procession through Bugembe town, passed at Katende road to Busoga Kingdom headquarters and finally to Igenge Palace at Wanyange Hill where they welcomed thousands of guests at a mass wedding reception.
VVIP guests hosted at the wedding reception included: The Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations and also MK Movement chairman Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, deputy speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, first deputy prime minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Buganda Kingdom’s Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisha and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom’s Queen Omugo Margaret among others
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba gifted the Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV and Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi with ten cows. –End-