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Batooro give mixed reactions to Komuntale’s marriage breakup
L-R: Tooro Kingdom Queen Mother Best Kemigisha and King Oyo toast to the marriage of Christopher Thomas and Princess Ruth Komuntale last year. The marriage has, however, come to an end to the shock of many Batooro. PHOTO BY RACHEL MABALA
Fort Portal- It all started with the “Komuntale’s mix and mingle cocktail” on November 2 at Piato Restaurant & Bar on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala.
This was the first event in preparation for the two big parties in Fort Portal, Kabarole District. People in Fort Portal Town waited for Komuntale to come home in vain until a day to her introduction party on November 15.
Finally, she introduced her husband to the royal family and to hundreds of guests from at a function that was interrupted by rain.
Gweri village at long last had its all roads re-done, connected to piped water and electricity in preparation for the introduction party.
At the party, Uganda’s Ambassador to Belgium Kateenta Apuuli led the entourage of the American, Christopher Thomas, and introduced him as a member of the Abakurungu clan of Tooro. And on November 17, former Anglican Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi and Bishop Reuben Kisembo of Rwenzori Diocese wed the couple at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal.
However, behind the scenes, there was a heated debate among the Batooro regarding the choice of man the princess was bringing home. Many Batooro wanted Komuntale to marry from the kingdom or from other royal families in Uganda.
When Komuntale released a statement on Monday about her separation from Thomas, after less than a year, those who were not happy about the marriage were quick to weigh in.
Cultural divide
“The royal drums have rejected Komuntale and Thomas marriage that is why they have separated. This marriage wouldn’t have lasted long due to not respecting rituals and culture of Tooro,” Edward Kajura, an elder, says.
Joseph Mashuhuko, an opinion leader in Tooro, on the other hand, blames the elders and the Musuga –head of the Royal clan, Charles Kamurasi, Komuntale’s uncle, for allegedly not advising the princess about culture.
“He did not advise his daughter yet he used to de-campaign intermarriages within the country. What about Komuntale who got married to a man whose origin cannot be traced?” he says. Mashuhuko adds that Komuntale, 23, was not ready to make her own choice and needed some guidance, which her uncle and some elders did not do.
But Tom Mboijana, another elder, does not agree: “Cross marriages always happen all over the world among the royals, so it is upon the couple to understand each other. It is just a pity for the Princess to be involved in such a mess.”
Bishop Kisembo, who wedded the couple, on the other hand, has advised the couple to reconcile.
“As a Church, we are ready to help counsel them. I don’t support divorce at all. I pray that they reconcile,” the bishop told the Daily Monitor.
Asked whether the Church can wed either of the two parties suppose they got another partner, Bishop Kisembo says: “The couple has not officially divorced, but even if they did, the Church can’t re-wed them. Any of the parties can only have a civil marriage after this.”
