The wedding preparations for Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV and Ms. Jovia Mutesi have successfully raised a total of Shs304 million, as reported by the organizing committee for the royal wedding. Kyabazinga Gabula is scheduled to marry Ms. Mutesi on November 18 at Bugembe Christ’s Cathedral in Jinja North City Division, followed by a reception at the kingdom headquarters in Bugembe.

Patrick Batumbya, the chairperson of the organizing committee, announced the fundraising achievement during a gathering at the kingdom headquarters. He further revealed that Bugabula and Bunha chiefdoms, representing the Kyabazinga and Inhebantu, respectively, are expected to make the most significant contributions to the wedding.

The organizing committee comprises 23 members, including prominent figures like Dorothy Kisaka, the executive director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and Milly Babalanda, the Minister for the Presidency. Joseph Muvawala, the kingdom’s prime minister, noted that Bugembe Cathedral can accommodate up to 400 people, and the reception venue’s capacity is limited to 2,000 people. Therefore, they have arranged additional mini venues within the district.

Muvawala refrained from specifying a budget for the wedding, stating that well-wishers are welcome to contribute as they please. He emphasized that all funds are expected to be raised internally, highlighting the region’s determination to dispel the perception of poverty in Busoga Sub-region. In the fiscal year 2021/2022, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos) reported that 14.5% of people in Busoga Sub-region were classified as “totally poor.”

Rebecca Kadaga, the Minister for East African Community Affairs, presided over the function and advised the organizing committee to exercise caution when collecting contributions. She urged them to ensure that the wedding becomes a historic event, emphasizing the importance of avoiding situations where individuals claim that the wedding depended on their contributions.