Today in History: Kabaka Mutebi II Marries Sylvia Nagginda

What the report says

On August 27, 1999, Buganda’s Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II married Sylvia Nagginda Luswata at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Namirembe, Kampala, in an event Nile Post described as Uganda’s “Wedding of the Millennium.” The article says it was the first time in 51 years that a reigning Kabaka had married, making the occasion a landmark moment for the restored kingdom and a major public celebration in the capital.

The service was led by the late Church of Uganda Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo. After the ceremony, Mutebi and Nagginda appeared before the crowd outside the cathedral, where thousands had gathered. Nagginda then took the title Nnabagereka, the Queen of Buganda. The groom wore royal regalia, while the bride arrived in a white gown and tiara, according to the report.

Nile Post said the guest list included President Yoweri Museveni, Tooro’s King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, other regional monarchs and international representatives. It also noted that messages of goodwill from Queen Elizabeth II drew added attention. The reception was held at the Lubiri in Mengo, where the royal couple hosted guests after the cathedral service.

The article says the wedding had significance beyond ceremony and spectacle. It came six years after the Buganda monarchy was restored in 1993 and was presented as a symbol of cultural revival and closer ties between the Kabaka and his subjects. The report also highlighted kingdom-wide contributions in money, gifts and livestock for the preparations.