In a significant step towards the long-awaited Royal wedding between the Isebantu of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV, and his Inhebantu, HRH Jovia Mutesi, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, officially launched the organizing committee for this historic event.
The Royal wedding is set to take place on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe in Jinja city. Following the ceremony, the Royal couple will host their guests at Igenge palace, and simultaneous celebrations will be held at various venues across Busoga Kingdom for the Basoga to celebrate and rejoice in the official union of the Inhebantu into the Royal palace. This momentous occasion marks the culmination of several decades, with the last similar event taking place in the 1960s.
To ensure the effective management of the wedding and the various activities and celebrations associated with “Embaga Ya Mwenemu” (the Royal wedding), a 25-member central organizing committee has been established. Eng. Patrick Batumbya chairs the committee, with Martin Tibalira serving as the Vice Chairperson. Other notable members include KCCA’s Dorothy Kisaka, responsible for special assignments, and Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda, tasked with mobilizing local leaders and Resident District Commissioners. The committee also comprises individuals like Prof. Dr. Muhammad Lubega, Eng. George William Bwanga, Justine Lumumba Kasule, and Joan Machora, who are responsible for mobilizing Basoga in the diaspora and other committee members. The central organizing committee will receive assistance from several sub-committee members and volunteers in executing its mandate.
During the launch of the organizing committee at the kingdom headquarters in Bugembe, Kadaga emphasized the importance of transparency. She discouraged members from soliciting money from unwilling contributors and advocated for electronic contributions via mobile money and bank accounts to prevent fraud. Kadaga urged the committee to be selective and careful in approaching potential contributors to avoid opportunists who might falsely claim to be sponsors of the royal wedding.
To facilitate contributions towards the royal wedding, a general bank account has been opened with the Central Bank’s Jinja branch, with account number 3100095955 in the name “The Kyabazinga of Busoga.” Additionally, MTN mobile money code 707070 and Airtel money merchant code 4360000 have been provided to make contributions convenient for all.
Dr. Joseph Muvawala, the kingdom prime minister, stressed that the wedding is a celebration for all Busoga subjects and called upon everyone to participate from their respective locations. He expressed determination that the wedding would be financed by locals in Busoga, with the estimated budget intentionally withheld as they welcome contributions from various individuals. In addition to a cash contribution of shs. 10 million from Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda, committee members have already contributed shs. 304 million
