Toro princess defies culture

Church bells are chiming in Toro kingdom.

The talk in the western town of Fort Portal is centred on the planned July wedding of their stunning princess Ruth Komuntale to her African American boyfriend, Christopher Thomas.

However the conversations on the streets and in the palace are not entirely joyful.

Many Batooro are unhappy with their princess’ decision to get married to a foreign man.

Elders in the kingdom say it is against Toro culture for Komuntale to go out of her way to bring home a man who does not understand the norms and culture of the land.

One of the elders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Komuntale defied their culture when she started modelling, adding that as if that was not bad enough she is now planning to get married to a foreigner.

The Batooro have always criticised Komuntale’s dress code, saying that it is a shame to the entire kingdom and that it is unfortunate that the young generation copies her attire.

“We were trying to come to terms with her dress code and character, and now she says she is wedding a Muzungu man. In my opinion, this wedding should not take place,” one source said.

Another source said that Komuntale must find a Mutoro man to be married to otherwise the elders will not bless her marriage. Known to jump from one relationship to another, Komuntale is not about to give up her love for Thomas for the sake of her culture and status.

 “I have a right to choose a man I love, the one I know I will spend the rest of my life with because marriage is a lifetime commitment. I don’t want to get married to someone I don’t love because I am a princess and people should not base on culture to tear my heart apart,” Komuntale told reporters last year.

She added: “It is not because I don’t respect my culture, but I also have to follow my heart.”

However her determination in the matter has brought about some disagreement among the leaders in the kingdom as some support her while others are opposed to her move.

CHANGE OF MIND

Recently the media reported that a section of Toro leaders and the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, met in King Oyo’s palace in Munyonyo a Kampala suburb and discussed Komuntale’s wedding preparations.

The meeting was seen as a change of mind by some top officials of the kingdom regarding Komuntale’s love interest.

Prior to that the Queen Mother was overheard saying that she has to preserve Toro culture and there was therefore no way she would ever allow her children to marry non-Batoro.

The Queen Mother was responding to allegations that Komuntale intended to get married to one of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s sons. At the time the Queen Mother said King Oyo and his sister Komuntale were free to choose their partners only if their choices are from Toro.

“I brought up my children single handedly and I have nurtured them into their culture and I will not allow them nto marry outside their culture,” she was quoted in the press as telling the royal family.

It is unclear whether she has since changed her stance on the matter as she was unreachable for comment by press.

 Will Thomas be accepted in Toro Culture?

Whether Thomas will be accepted in Toro Kingdom and welcomed by the King’s subjects remains a subject of debate as many Batooro are not happy with Komuntale’s choice of a husband.

One of Komuntale’s aunties, who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said that they were willing to find a suitor for Komuntale and had started looking for one among the prominent families in Toro with a good reputation, but were shocked to learn that she is already someone else.

“We have many handsome and well brought up boys in our land, I don’t understand why she could find not a man here.
Besides as her aunties we were willing to give her a hand and identify a good husband for her. I am so disappointed in her,” Komuntale’s auntie told The Sun on Wednesday.

In the meantime, keep an eye on The Sun for a picture of Christopher Thomas.