President Museveni Narrates How He Pushed Kyabazinga To Marry , Promises Queen Mutesi A Juicy Government Job

President Yoweri Museveni last night hosted King of Busoga Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula and his wife, Queen Jovia Mutesi. The president welcomed the royals together with key figures from Busoga Kingdom at State House in Entebbe for a dinner.

In his remarks, President Museveni expressed relief that the Busoga monarch was finally settled in marriage. He said, for years, he had pushed the king to find himself a wife and settle down.

“As he (Nadiope) told you, whenever he came here I would challenge him on that,” Museveni said.“We the Africans, once you grow you have to get a wife. It is not a question of just being there. What are you doing? That is a part of “okwombeka” (building) in our culture. Building is not just about erecting a building, but also having a wife and creating wealth.” Museveni Said.

President Museveni also congratulated the king and the people of Busoga on getting “such a beautiful and well-educated” queen. The President promised to work with Queen Mutesi so she could put her training in finance to good use in government.

“I welcome Nyin’abantu (queen) of Busoga for joining our son, Gabula and coming when you (Mutesi) are already a highly-developed product. She (Mutesi) told me she’s a financial analyst and accountant and I will mention how she will help us with those qualifications but before that, among the Banyankore, when a child gets a wife you don’t just come swinging empty hands that you’re going to attend a wedding; you bring something on your head. So, I will give them 100 cows,” President Museveni said on Friday evening as he hosted the king and his queen to a luncheon in their honor at State House Entebbe.

President Museveni described the King as “my son” and the daughter as his “daughter-in-law.” He promised to give them 100 cows as a gift.

In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Mr Museveni, 79, said he was pleased that the 36-year-old king had finally gotten a companion.

“I congratulate HH Gabula on finding a wife. Whenever we met in the past, I used to ask him why he was visiting me alone. Therefore, I am very glad that he finally found a companion. I also thank him for showing respect to elders by introducing his wife to us. I thank God for enabling me to work with three generations of the Gabula’s, right from the 1960s till now. I gave them 100 cows as okurabukira (to welcome) the bride. And 20 cows for okusiima (gift of gratitude) to the family of Nyin’abantu,” Mr Museveni said.

King Nadiope in his brief remarks, said he had come to officially introduce his wife to the president, who contributed significantly to their wedding. President Museveni did not attend the historic Royal Wedding of November 18, 2023, but delegated his son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

“I am happy to report that for the first time, I have not come here alone, but with a wife,” remarked the King.

The queen on her part thanked the President and his wife Janet for supporting them. She further highlighted her ongoing projects to socially and economically empower the people of Busoga, especially the women and youths.

Ms Mutesi— a daughter to Bulambuli Resident District Commissioner, Stanley Bayole and Rebecca Nakisita Bayole—on November 18, 2023 officially became the Inhebantu of Busoga following her wedding to Kyabazinga at Christ’s Cathedra, Bugembe, after which they hosted their guests at Iganga Palace, also in Bugembe.

The latest nuptial was the first in the kingdom in 67 years, following Kyabazinga Henry Wako Muloki and Alice Muloki in 1956.To most people born in Busoga Sub-region during the period, this was their first glimpse of a Royal Wedding, including former Vice President, Ms Specioza Kazibwe, who was three years old at the time.

President Museveni’s son and daughter-in-law, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Charlotte Kainerugaba attended the event.