Church of Uganda Clears Kyabazinga Wedding Amid Injunctions

The Church of Uganda has given its approval for the upcoming royal wedding between Busoga King (Kyabazinga) Gabula Nadiope IV and Jovia Mutesi, set to take place on November 18 at Christ’s Church Cathedral in Bugembe, Jinja City.

According to Church of Uganda spokesperson Adam Sadiiki, the wedding will proceed as planned because they have not received any court injunction preventing it. Sadiiki clarified that they only received a petition, and since the Kyabazinga is a Christian who desires to be wedded in the Anglican Church, the church will fulfill his request.

However, Sadiiki mentioned that their legal team is currently evaluating the situation and will provide guidance accordingly. He stated, “We are waiting for our legal team to finish the process they are working on, then our actions will be guided by the guidance they will give.”

The Church’s decision follows the uncertainty surrounding the royal wedding due to two court injunctions filed by complainant Alison Anna Nadiope, who claims to be legally married to the monarch. Alison alleges that they married in December 2016 in a civil ceremony in the UK, and she has not been divorced since. According to UK law, bigamy is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months.

A new court injunction, dated November 8 and signed by Mugerwa and Partners Advocates and Solicitors on behalf of Alison, was addressed to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of Busoga Diocese, seeking to block the church ceremony. The letter argues that the Kyabazinga is legally married, having celebrated a civil marriage in December 2016.

In response, Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muvawala has issued a statement asserting that the Kyabazinga has never been married under recognized forms of marriage and has not fathered any children. Dr. Muvawala has instructed the kingdom lawyers to initiate civil and criminal proceedings against those making such claims, stating that they are intended to tarnish the Kyabazinga’s reputation.