'Kenzo's daughter should not have attended Rema's kukyala'

Clan leaders are against songstress Rema Namakula for involving her daughter Amaal Musuuza during her Buganda traditional ceremony known as Kukyala (Luganda word) aimed at introducing her groom-to-be Dr. Hamza Ssebunya to her relatives.

The traditional ceremony was held at the home of the Late Godfrey Mabirizi in Naguru on October 9, 2019, in preparation for the wedding. The introduction is slated for November 14, 2019, at Nabbingo in Masaka.

Dr. Adam Kimala, former Prime Minister of Mmamba clan says that a child is not supposed to attend the introduction ceremony or kukyala of her mother.

A section of the public came out to condemn Rema for involving their daughter with Kenzo in their private engagement.  

Others say it was right for the child to be present at the ceremony to network with her ‘stepfather'- Ssebunya, at an early stage.

"The problem is that people are literate and they are no longer Baganda. They behave like English yet they are not.  A child is not supposed to be at her mother's introduction ceremony or Kukyala according to the Buganda cultural norms and customs. Do you want to also take her to the bedroom?" Asked Kimala.

He noted that a child is neither supposed to be one of the bridal entourage team on the mother's wedding nor supposed to attend the introduction ceremony."

Even when after the burial ceremony at the in-laws when the father is expected to take local brew (Ekita kyo'mwenge), he is accompanied by a sister. Presenting the local brew is done in the absence of the children. the girl's aunty then introduces them as the son-in-law of their daughter," Kimala said.

Gajuule Kayiira, head of Mbogo clan concurs with Kimala noting that children are not supposed to either accompany or attend anything to do with the parents' introduction ceremony.

Citing an example that had it been Kenzo going for the introduction, he would not have gone with the child and neither would Rema be with their daughter during the event. 

He explains that any person under the same circumstances, would not be accepted to let the child be part of the event. But in case she attends the introduction ceremony, she is not supposed to evidently follow the ceremony.

"There are inner meanings that the children are not supposed to know and must not be exposed to.  These can be adult-rated for instance; the adventure and the Public Display of Affection (PDA)," Kayiira said.

He added that there are situations that require privacy rather than the interference of the children. Noting that if it is their parents, it might be very hard to figure out what might be thinking.

Kayiira further added that to avoid any form of interference or misinterpretation, it is better to keep children out of introduction ceremonies.