The Church of Uganda has disclosed that the highly awaited royal wedding between the Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom, William Gabula Nadiope IV, and Jovia Mutesi, scheduled for this Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Christ’s Church Cathedral, Bugembe, Jinja City will be conducted as they have not received any court injunction preventing the wedding.
Adam Sadiiki, the spokesperson for the Church of Uganda, said, “Kyabazinga is a Christian, and he has expressed his desire to be wedded in the Anglican Church, so our duty is to do what he has requested us to do,” said Sadiiki.
He added that their legal team is assessing the situation and will provide advice accordingly.
The Church’s announcement comes in response to two court injunction threats filed by Alison Anna Nadiope, who claims to be legally wedded to the Kyabazinga.
Through her lawyers at the UK-based law firm, Anne Cuthbert Solicitors Limited, Alison alleges that she and the Kyabazinga were married in a civil ceremony in December 2016 in the United Kingdom. She contends that the Kyabazinga has not divorced her, and entering into another marriage would constitute bigamy, punishable under UK law.
A letter from Mugerwa and Partners Advocates and Solicitors on behalf of Alison, dated November 8, was addressed to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, seeking to stop the royal wedding. The letter claims that the Kyabazinga is legally married under certificate AK5947291, with two children allegedly born from the union.
In response to these allegations, the Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, vehemently denied any previous marriage of the Kyabazinga and refuted the existence of any children.
Muvawala instructed the Kingdom’s lawyers to initiate civil and criminal proceedings against those making such claims, asserting that they aim to tarnish the Kyabazinga’s reputation.