Queen Sylvia Nagginda Luswata launches her book 

Last Thursday, the Nnaabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda Luswata launched her long-awaited autobiography, The Nnaabagereka, amid pomp and glamour at the Sheraton hotel in Kampala.

The event drew Uganda’s high-flying royals, corporates from the private sector, and prominent women’s movement figures. By 2:30pm streams of guests had begun finding their way into Rwenzori Ballroom and by 3pm, the ballroom was full.

At the entrance, male ushers dressed in kanzu and black blazers and females in busuuti welcomed guests. Prominent among the attendees were Works and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, Tooro kingdom’s princess Elizabeth Bagaaya, Kampala lord mayor Erias Lukwago, KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka and USA Ambassador Natalie Brown, among others.

At 4:15pm, a visibly jovial Nagginda alighted from her car. She was presented with a bouquet before she found her way into the ballroom. As she walked to her seat, Nagginda’s refined royal purple velvet dress inspired by the traditional Buganda busuuti caused gasps from the audience.

Although Nnaabagereka’s dress looked like a busuuti, her designer replaced the usual sharp spikes on the shoulders with a flat sleeve. The signature busuuti silver buttons easily blended in with her bright necklace, wristwatch, and earrings.

Nagginda shared her table with Tooro kingdom’s Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya, 87, to her left veteran politician and educationalist Joyce Mpanga, 89, to her right; and the legendary Rhoda Kalema, 93, to her extreme right.

Unlike most high-end events where men outnumber women in attendance, Nagginda’s book launch was managed by women in all activities. Using her book launch, the Nnaabagereka acknowledged the role of various members of Uganda’s women’s movement subtly.

It was a tale of three generations of strong women in attendance; from the Rhoda Kalema/Joyce Mpanga generation to Miria Matembe’s and on to Jacqueline Asiimwe’s, the Nnaabagereka recognised the effort of each generation in uplifting the girl child.

In a prerecorded speech, Barbara Mulwana, a close friend of the Nnaabagereka, commended her for penning her autobiography. Mulwana said stories needed to be retold in writing as a way of inspiring future generations.

“The Nnaabagereka embodies two lives where she has a clear understanding of both. She has a clear understanding of the future of Buganda and where it is good to be,” Mulwana said.

From the memoir, Nagginda’s relationship with Barbara Mulwana spans more than three decades. Nagginda recognizes Barbara’s late father, industrialist James Mulwana for giving her a consulting contract for six months to organize the first Uganda Manufacturers Association trade fair, which became her springboard to later return to Uganda.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK

Dr Miria Nassali from Makerere University, Jacqueline Asiimwe and Robert Kabushenga gave their reflections about the book.
Kabushenga said the book had helped readers like him to appreciate the Nnaabagereka as an individual.

“Hers is the story of adversity. We believe we know her, but we don’t until we read the book. This book speaks to any man who is a father of a daughter. It is an incredible window into the challenges that our daughters struggle with silently. The greatest contribution of this book is for the men in this country to reconnect with their daughters,” Kabushenga said.

Makerere University, Law don Dr Nassali said the Nnaabagereka through her book, had charted new ways for ladies to celebrate life.

“It is a story of true love and gratitude for life. Her continuous gratitude and reverence for the Kabaka go without mention. She succeeded in making the position relevant in the twenty-first century. In her role of being a traditional wife, she shattered our feelings. She tries to reassure us as fellow humans that her life is complicated, painful, and unpredictable.  People from the word go put the Nnaabagereka on a pedestal. Through the book, she reflects on her indiscretions to offer life lessons,” Nassali added.

On the other hand, the executive director at CivSource and human rights lawyer Asiimwe said the book highlighted the struggles of public figures, most especially women, to live up to the standards set by society.

“The women’s movement has struggled to contend between culture and modernity. The book gives us the energy to proudly claim our Africanness. She didn’t ask to become the Nnaabagereka of one of the oldest civilizations in Africa. She is an imperfect person in an imperfect world. Lift your neck and step out. It takes courage, wisdom and fortitude to step out.”

At intervals, Umoja cultural group entertained guests throughout the event. Invited to welcome the Nnaabagereka to make her speech and launch the book officially, Natalie Brown, the ambassador of the USA to Uganda, commended her for choosing to inspire several people using her story. She cheekily added: “For the 18 years you spent in the US, the Americans feel as if you also belong to us.”

Rising amid ululations from the crowd, Nagginda appreciated her guests for coming to the event to celebrate the book launch. She took time to recognize her guests, especially Rhoda Kalema, Princess Bagaaya and Joyce Mpanga for being the light of the Ugandan women.

She then added: “I would like to start by giving extraordinary appreciation from the depth of my heart to Ssaabasajja Kabaka of Buganda for allowing me to lend a hand to the progress and development of our people. For being supportive while doing it. I am grateful to the people of Uganda and all Ugandans who have loved and cared for my family during my time as Nnaabagereka. Even though the preparation of an autobiography can be a daunting process, we are experiencing steps taken during life and reflections on events that have shaped us. Some are thrilling, while others are not. in a process of telling your story, you may inadvertently affect other people. It is also a highly sensitive process. I have made every effort not to be harmful. However, if I have disappointed or hurt anyone in this process, I ask that you forgive me because it was not my intention… I love you all so much.”

She later launched the book and took turns taking photos with her guests. At one point, the moderator invited Lord Mayor Lukwago and KCCA executive director Kisaka to join Nagginda in a photo opportunity.

As dinner was being served, Nagginda autographed each book bought at the function and one could tell the Ganda girls by how fast they sunk to their knees when addressing the queen – regardless of their status and station in society.

At exactly 10pm, the Nnaabagereka walked out of the ballroom. Although the Kabaka and Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga were conspicuously absent, several Buganda kingdom dignitaries were in attendance: Omutaka Namwama Augustine Mutumba, Ssaabaganzi Emmanuel Ssekitoleko, Kabaka’s uncle Godfrey Musanje the Ssaabalangira, Owek. Joyce Nnabbosa Ssebugwaawo, Owek. Christine Mugerwa Kasule, and Owek. Kabuuza Mukasa, among others.

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