Toro celebrates Princess Komuntale wedding

By Raymond Baguma, Carol Kezaabu and Rogers Sunday

FORT PORTAL - The day the entire kindgom of Toro has been preparing and eagerly waiting for in a very long time has finally come to pass.

Princess Ruth Komuntale tied the knot on Saturday with her African-American beau Christopher Thomas in a colourful ceremony at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal witnessed by hundreds of guests and the king’s subjects.

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The royal couple waves to the audience. PHOTO: Matthias Mugisha  

Komuntale was led through the church aisle by her brother King Oyo Nyimba in a golden robe, as the police band played the familiar “Praise the Lord,” hymn. Marching from behind were close members of the royal family who included the Queen Mother Best Kemigisa.

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King Oyo of Toro with his sister and new in-laws. PHOTO: Matthias Mugisha  

The event was colourful, with women adorned in colourful hairstyles of red, orange and purple being the dominant colours. Other people sat under tents raised outside the overflowing cathedral and followed proceedings from the projector screens erected outside the church.

The couple took their vows before the Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi who was assisted by the Rwenzori Anglican diocese bishop Reuben Kisembo, after which Orombi pronounced the two as husband and wife.

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Princess Komuntale and her new husband Christopher Thomas PHOTO: Matthias Mugisha   

A royal wedding has not taken place in the Kingdom in a very long time. The couple met two years ago in America.

Present at the ceremony were several dignitaries who included guests from other Ugandan cultural institutions of Bunyoro, Busoga, Buganda and Teso. The cathedral was teeming with many dignitaries among whom were Buganda’s Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda.

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Princess Komuntale and her brother King Oyo of Toro.PHOTO: Matthias Mugisha

  
Also present were cultural delegations from African cultural institutions of Ghana, Congo, DR Congo, Benin and Swaziland. There were also foreign diplomats, ministers, and Members of Parliament.

Uganda's vice president Edward Ssekandi, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and former minister Kirunda Kivejinja all turned up to see Princess Komuntale united with Christoper.

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Matron: Princess Tracy Guma

Assistant matron: Princess Catherine Kajaguzi

Best man: Williams Thomas

Flower Girls: Princess Zara Mukasa; Princess Davina Kanyaihe; Princess Nkwanzi Ruganda; Princess Kisha Kawamara; Princess Joylyne Katekaine; Princess Sherry Musiime

Bride's maids

Princess Shiba Matovu

Princess Lydia Kankya

Princess Shilla Kawamara

Princess Hilda katuuta

Princess Peninah Baguma

Groom's Men

Prince elly Mugamba

Prince Nathan Kazoora

Prince Justin Mainuka

Prince Tumuhairwe Mwebesa

Prince David Mujungu

Prince Mutumba Irunga