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Here is the Royal
Couple!
 Thousands of people thronged Namirembe Cathedral Hill
Friday to witness the long-awaited wedding of Buganda King Kabaka
Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and Sylvia Luswata Nagginda.
The wedding ceremony, which was conducted by
Church of Uganda (Anglican) Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, lasted just
over two hours.
Security sources said though there were many
people, there were minimal incidents of crimes at the
ceremony.
Many of those who went for the wedding were
dressed in the traditional kanzu (tunic) and gomesi (busuti). Others
donned bark-cloths and drank beer from gourds. There were also
drummers from several groups.
President Yoweri Museveni, accompanied by his
wife Janet, was among the several dignitaries in attendance. In his
speech, he said he was happy with the Buganda monarchy and promised
to help promote it.
In spite of a heavy down pour, thousands of
people lined the road from the Cathedral to the nearby Lubiri Palace
to have a glimpse at the royal couple.
Kabaka Mutebi hosted his guests to a feast at
the Lubiri after the wedding ceremony.
Pictures of the king and his bride, as well as
their parents, were selling like the proverbial hot cakes. Mementos
like badges, T-shirts and caps were on sale too. Beverage sellers
were also doing brisk business.
The vernacular newspaper Bukedde published by
The New Vision group published an afternoon edition focusing on the
wedding.
Museveni's Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) on
Thursday took over control of the king's security, including the
black royal limousine, Reg. HM MUWENDA MUTEBI II.
. Among
those who joined Kabaka Mutebi for his wedding were, President
Yoweri Museveni and King Oyo of Toro. Here in the picture are from
left, Prince Wasajja, King Oyo, Sister of King Oyo, Mrs. Janet
Museveni and Queen Mother Best Kemigisha - mother of King Oyo. The Queen Mother of England has congratulated the
Buganda royal couple on their wedding.
The message was delivered to Kampala by Kabaka
Mutebi's British godfather and childhood guardian, Maj. Richard
Carr-Gomm.
Carr-Gomm was in Kampala for the wedding that
was held Friday the Namirembe Cathedral. He said the Queen Mother
met Mutebi in England last month and was very glad to hear of his
wedding.
"She was in Uganda in 1923 with her husband the
Duke of York and she has a long memory of Uganda," said
Carr-Gomm.
Baganda living in London have organised parties
to mark the wedding of Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi II and Sylvia Nagginda
Luswata.
The celebrations were due to start at The
Princess Alice's Club One-Ten in East London, according to
organising committee chairman Mr. Fred Ssemugera.
Mr. Ssemugera is also chairman of the Bika
Bya Buganda, an association that groups Baganda in the United
Kingdom.
He said the occasion was going to start with
speeches from the Kabaka's representatives as well as traditional
dances. Another dance was to be held through the night at the
club.
Reports from London said celebrations were to
continue through out the weekend with Bika Bya Buganda Sports
Day. All Buganda clans in UK were expected to turn up for the sports
competitions.
Mr. Ssemugera said the sports gala was to take
place at the Newham Leisure Centre in East London starting at
midday. There will also be a special service.
Buganda
is Peaceful ('Obuganda Bulladde')
© Uganda Newswire
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