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On the weekend of 22 June 2019, Dr. Sylvia officially introduced her fiancée, Dr. Emma, to her parents in an extravagant kwanjula ceremony. Sylvia’s introduction took place at her father’s home in Buziga, Kampala. Dr. Syvia’s father, Mr. Musisi is one of Kampala’s prominent businessmen.
The ceremony kicked off at midday when guests started strolling in. Whoever got in was welcomed to a food serving area where they were served an African buffet that included Luwombo. Having hired four (4) catering companies, Musisi ensured that each of his guests was filled and satisfied.
Like other extravagant ceremonies, the guests did not carry invitation which signifies that Musisi extended an open invitation to his friends, family and the entire village to Sylvia’s introduction. One of the decorators told us that they had organized for over 800 guests.
Guests were kept refreshed by the constant flow of fresh fruit juice from Dalausi juice, tea, coffee, beers and whiskeys, as well as other soft drinks. They would later on in the evening be treated to a chicken and goats meat barbecue to ensure they did not leave Musisi’s home hungry.
For decor, Sylvia chose Peach, Gold and white for her Kwanjula theme. Peach is a romantic and delicate color that has been a leading wedding and introduction theme color since 2017. Peach is also elegant and sweet and is the perfect balance of warm and cool that’s also easy on the eyes. The customized bridal gazebo was also decorated with peach, gold and white theme colors as well as flowers and chandeliers hanging from the top. Her kwanjula decorator, Bloven events did an excellent job when it came to the bridal high table.
Unlike the usually raised bridal platform and raised table, Bloven chose a below-knee table and added a few items like birdcages and flowers for the centerpiece. They also used modern thin sofa chairs to match their minimal high table set up. And we loved it!
The entire venue floor was covered by an artificial grass carpet and white carpets inside the tents whereas the bakos'(in-laws) tent was raised on a wooden platform layered with a white carpet on top.
At around 1 PM, the groom, Dr. Emma arrived with his entourage of about 300 people. After enjoying the delicious meal Musisi had prepared for them, Sylvia’s auntie led Emma and his entourage to their seats. Emma was led by the famous introduction maestro, Joseph Sendagire alias Mzee Bakiddawo who cracked jokes and kept guests smiling throughout the function.
For her first appearance, Dr. Sylvia wore a cream layered gomesi with silver lace embroidery accompanied with maroon suede sash and silver lining. She matched her attire with a diamond necklace and arm accessories. Dr. Emma was donned in a kanzu and a purple hue jacket. Sylvia’s matron wore a red gomesi with minimal accessories. She was escorted by local musician Chosen Becky who entertained the guests with her famous “Bankuza” track among others.
The rest of this session was led by one of Uganda’s most sought after kwanjula musicians, Stabua Natooro who raved up the crowd with a thrilling performance. Stabua’s Kwanjula performances are always exciting to watch, she has mastered the art of portraying her song messages with body motions to perfectly relay the message behind her songs. She also has an art of making people dig into their pockets and “make it rain.” Especially when she sings her “kwelaga” song. The song tells men to show off with money if they have it. It is a song that ignites men’s ego and gets them splashing money on the bride and Stabua herself.
In between sessions, guests were kept entertained by Musanyusa class cultural music performers group, “on-point” music by Nexus events, and an excellent pianist, Henry Mayanja. Henry single-handedly put up a one man’s live band performance that kept the guests at their toes as he played and sang popular songs by the Afrigo Band and the late Elly Wamala.
Led by Geoffrey Lutaaya and his wife, Irene Namatovu, Dr. Sylvia returned for the second session wearing an all peach layered gomesi with a glittering dark peach sash that matched her decor theme. She accompanied her attire with minimal jewelry. Although Geoffrey Lutaaya and Irene Namatovu’s performance was short, it hyped up the crowd and got everybody up out of their seats. It is in this session that Dr. Emma put the engagement ring on Sylvia’s ring. Although the couple may have done this prior to the kwanjula, they have to repeat this process at the introduction to make their customary marriage official. As the current trend is, the engagement ring was brought by the drone.
Geoffrey Lutaaya used this opportunity to reveal his political ambitions. He said that he is going to contest as a member of Parliament come 2021. This is an ambition that many Ugandan musicians have taken on since one of their fellow artistes, Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu alias Bobi Wine, contested and become a member of Parliament. Bobi Wine has since declared his intention to run for Uganda’s presidency which has turned him into the biggest opposition figure. This has thus motivated many artistes to run for political offices.
To cut the cake, Dr. Sylvia changed into an evening floor-length black chiffon dress that fades into grey shades downwards. Unfortunately, at this moment, the clouds were getting thicker and it was threatening to rain. It drizzled for a moment but God seemed to have listened to Mzee Bakiddawo, who had earlier prayed that God would hold off the rains for the good of Sylvia’s introduction.
For the final session, Sylvia returned in a gorgeous and rare bright blue gomesi with feather-like-tassels and golden embroidery. She accompanied her gomesi with a golden sash and accessories.
Her cake was an African-inspired design cake made in the shape of African baskets. Because this was an introduction ceremony, it made a lot of sense to have such a design for a cake. This beautiful introduction cake was designed by Cake Studio.
Dr. Sylvia and Dr. Emma’s introduction was graced by top government officials like Ronald Kibuule, the Ugandan State Minister for Water Resources and Mukono North MP; Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata Batte, the spokesperson of Kibuli Muslim Community; other government officials as well Musisi’s fellow tycoons.
During his speech, Sheikh Muzaata consoled Hon. Kibuule for his loss and condemned Uganda for bemocking the minister when he lost his twins tragically. He advised Hon. Kibuule to attend such functions as they help take his mind off that incidence. Muzaata further applauded Dr. Emma for making a manly decision to settle down with Dr. Sylvia.
Hon. Kibuule scorned his critics saying they are simply jealous of his blessings. He also advised “educated” and wealthy people against the practice of producing a few children. “Many educated and wealthy people produce only 2 children and say they are done. That is what I did until God took all of them from me. Now I’m left with nothing.” Said Hon. Kibuule. He said that going forward, he will produce children whenever he has the opportunity to.
He further warned mothers against leaving their responsibility to house helps saying “I had five house helps but they didn’t save my children from drowning. Mothers, no one will look after your children like you are supposed to!”
The entire venue was a success except for the fact that a few decor features didn’ t serve their purpose. Like on many other Ugandan weddings and introductions, guests did not take photos at the “Sylvia introduces Emma” backdrop. I guess because backdrops at weddings and introductions are a recent addition to decor in Uganda, many people are not yet sure what to do with them. We, therefore, advise the event organizer or decorator to take upon themselves to inform the day’s emcee who should, in turn, encourage the guests to take a snap or two at the couple’s backdrop.
The other expensive feature that wasn’t fully put to use is the fruit bar or fruit decor. At the entrance to the venue, lay a huge table of a well-decorated fruit salad bar that was left untouched until later at around 8 PM when kids started picking and playing with a few fruit pieces. The emcee should have asked guests to pick a few pieces of the fruit salad as they went for their seats after having lunch.
Photos by: Hamuza Karizma