The much-anticipated Busoga royal wedding faces uncertainty due to a recent court injunction. Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV is set to marry Ms. Jovia Mutesi on November 18, with the ceremony planned at Christ’s Church, Bugembe in Jinja North City Division, followed by a reception at the monarchy’s Palace in Igenge.

The court injunction, directed to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, was issued by Mugerwa and Partners Advocates and Solicitors on behalf of Ms. Alison Anna Nadiope. The letter, dated November 8, 2023, asserts that Ms. Alison is legally married to Kyabazinga William Gabula since their civil marriage in December 2016, warning that proceeding with the wedding would amount to bigamy and violate church canons.

The Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt Rev Paul Samson Naimanhye, received the letter, according to Ms. Persis Faith Wakabi, the Secretary to the Bishop. However, the Diocesan Secretary, Rev Can Patrick Mutalwa, claimed he had not seen the letter and directed inquiries to Bishop Naimanhye, who was unavailable for comment.

Ms. Alison initially took legal action against the Kyabazinga in the UK, where the alleged civil marriage occurred. She argues that the Kyabazinga has not divorced her since their marriage in 2016 and warns that entering into another marriage would constitute bigamy under UK law.

The Busoga Kingdom Spokesperson, Mr. Andrew Ntange, dismissed the court documents, stating that traditional leaders are not determined through courts of law. He emphasized the kingdom’s commitment to the upcoming wedding and criticized those attempting to disrupt it.

Ms. Justine Kasule Lumumba, head of media and entertainment on the organizing committee of the Kyabazinga wedding, emphasized the monarch’s cultural duty to present a queen to his subjects, and she urged adherence to cultural norms despite legal challenges.