City tycoon John Ssebalamu gives away daughter in lavish ceremony 

The village of Bwebajja on Entebbe road was overwhelmed by fancy cars and music on October 28, 2024.

Indeed, it was not an ordinary day in the area. Jennifer Namuwonge, a lawyer and daughter of renowned businessman John Ssebalamu – known for owning Freedom City mall along Entebbe road, as well as other arcades in Kampala – was introducing her fiancé to family and friends in a lavish customary marriage (kwanjula).

As the clock struck eleven in the morning, guests began arriving at the Ssebalamus’ mansion in Bwebajja, a grand estate that is as much a symbol of his success as are his business investments. Guests dressed in their finest attires gathered to honour the couple and among those was Buganda’s second deputy Katikkiro Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, who represented Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga as chief guest.

The event brought together Kampala’s finest business moguls including Dr Hamis Kigundu, Godfrey Kirumira, Freeman Kiyimba and many from Kwagalana Group. The central government was also well represented by several members of parliament, the IGG Betty Namisango Kamya, former minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja and many others.

Ssebalamu is one of several siblings from Masaka including Drake Lubega and Christine Nabukeera, who own man of downtown Kampala’s arcades and business plazas.

BRIDE AND GROOM

With her hair carefully styled and nicely dressed in a shimmering blue and black gomesi that caught the light, Namuwonge’s first appearance amazed everyone and her groom, Canada-based lawyer Ronald Ssenyonjo, could not help but grin and stand up to welcome her with a warm hug, as musician Azawi accompanied the bride while singing her hit song, Masavu.

Namuwonge, with her signature radiant smile lighting up her face, waved at her guests, dancing jubilantly. She spotted some familiar faces among the crowd – her relatives, friends and colleagues – who hyped her with dances. She went ahead and hugged her father, who said in his speech that his daughter is also his dear friend and treasured ‘left-hand’.

The family spared no expense in making Namuwonge’s kwanjula one to remember. The bride changed clothes thrice and each time she would return to her guests led by a different musician. The lineup included Azawi, Mesach Ssemakula, Gaby Ntaate, Stabua Natoolo, Princess Amira and Spice Diana.

In the Ganda culture, the kwanjula is not complete until the bride price is delivered, and lately, brides and grooms make quite the spectacle out of this segment of the ceremony; but for Ssenyonjo, what do you give a family like Ssebalamu’s tha has everything?

The MC tactfully avoided introducing the gifts boastfully like it is usually done, and there were definitely no chairs, cars, water tanks and such in view.

What was visible were two refrigerators, a cooker, a huge TV set and several wrapped boxes and sacks of the usual gifts of food, drinks and clothes, as they were delivered without pomp. I mean, Namuwonge’s photography budget alone (rumoured to be Shs 12m) could comfortably finance another family’s kwanjula ceremony!

In her speech, Namuwonge thanked Ssenyonjo for fulfilling his promises among which was to visit her parents officially. She said Ssenyonjo is also her best friend, before thanking their guests.

“To everyone who is here today, thank you so much for honoring our invitation and may the Lord reward you all for me. Mummy and daddy, I am so grateful and I have a lot of words I would like to say, but let me stop here because it is late,” she said.

EVENT SETUP

As one came close to the venue, men and women from Uganda Police Force would ask for the invitation card; there was no gatecrashing this event!

The venue sparkled under twinkling fairy lights with colourful decorations and elaborate floral arrangements setting the pace for an unforgettable day; in fact, one would be forgiven for assuming it was a main wedding reception, and not a kwanjula, because of the sparkling lights and VIP seating by Metric Events.

As for the food and drinks, it was a day for tasting every type of food in Uganda. As soon as one entered the venue, ushers would direct one straight to a buffet table to be served food and drinks of one’s choice. From there, ushers would lead the guest straight to their table, also nicely organized with drinks and snacks on it.

Hajara Mulindwa, a guest, testified that this was one of those events she usually watches in movies where guests eat until they collapse.

“I thank God for my friend who gave me this introduction’s invitation. The things I have seen here are those we usually watch in movies. The musicians and entertainment alone could literally make a concert,” she gushed.

Mulindwa was rightly overwhelmed; when have you been to a kwanjula and during the function, ushers are moving around taking orders for food and drinks, right from arrival to the end?

SERVICE PROVIDERS

When it came to choosing service providers, this events planner made sure to select the best in this sector. Photography: You cannot mention Uganda’s top three wedding photographers without mentioning the renowned Davile Photography, which covered this event.

Known for his ability to capture moments and create beautiful memories for his clients, Davile and his team were at Bwebajja to document the interactions and happy moments of the day.

Decorations: Adding to the visual magnificence was the beautiful decorations provided by Metric Events, who made a huge statement about their services at Bwebajja. Upon entering the venue, guests were welcomed by an array of vibrant floral arrangements, twinkling lights, and elegant draping fabrics that created an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere.

The glittering big balloons all over the ceiling were beautifully designed with classic elegancy that allowed everyone to feel as if they had stepped into a fairytale. Very modern. Very chic. Metric Events refused to say how much they charged.

Entertainment: Like Mulindwa noted, for those who love Ugandan music, this was a live concert of sorts as performances came from some of Uganda’s big artistes such as, Ssemakula, Azawi, Spice Diana, Ntaate, Princess Amirah and Stabua, who gave energetic performances that had everyone on their feet dancing.

Cake: Outlet Cakes of Freedom City baked this event’s cake, which unlike any kwanjula cake I have ever seen, had more than ten tiers with different flavours.

SPEECHES

Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa congratulated Ssebalamu’s family and thanked them for always supporting Buganda kingdom and all kabaka’s related events, highlighting the Etofaali campaign.

“As Buganda, we thank and appreciate you so much for the support and love you have given us for all these years. Despite the wealth they have achieved, they have remained disciplined and welcoming and as leaders, we should look up to them,” he said.

“Secondly, we have witnessed many times when wealthy people die and their families go back to zero, but Mr Ssebalamu has shown us that he has trained his wife and children to work and he has testified how Jennifer has helped him businesswise.”

The chief guest encouraged the young couple to trust and take responsibility for each other, saying, “Marriage is love but most importantly, it’s being responsible for each other.”

Father of the bride Ssebalamu expressed his love and trust for Namuwonge, and thanked her for having been his left hand in business.

“Jennifer wanted to become a civil engineer but I asked her to do law because my business was a bit challenging and I needed someone I could trust with my finances and since the age of 18, she has been my signatory and she has never disappointed me in any way,” he said.

Bagagga Kwagalana Group’s chairman, Godfrey Kirumira, introduced the new generation of business magnets in the group, led by Hamis Kigundu.

“I want to introduce to you our next generation, because for us we are leaving soon and these are the people that are going to come next, waving Uganda’s business flag.”

He congratulated and wished the young couple the best in their marriage. When all was said and done, and the kabbo ka muwala function had been performed, it was time for us to drive back to Kampala, marvelling at what we had just been a part of.

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