Nambooze schools Betty Nakibuuka over Buganda culture misrepresentation

• Hon. Betty Nambooze Bakireke criticized gospel singer Betty Nakibuuka (Maama Gloria) for misrepresenting Buganda culture in relation to Baby Gloria’s engagement.
• She clarified the true cultural meaning behind goats in traditional marriage ceremonies, rejecting Nakibuuka’s claims.
• Nambooze urged Nakibuuka to respect privacy, Buganda traditions, and avoid mixing religion with cultural practices.
  

Veteran politician and cultural voice, Hon.Bakireke Nambooze Betty, has delivered a sharp lecture to gospel singer and pastor, Betty Nakibuuka, popularly known as Maama Gloria. This is over her recent public statements concerning her daughter Baby Gloria’s engagement and marriage.

Via a strongly worded message through her Facebook, Nambooze accused Nakibuuka of crossing cultural and personal boundaries, saying that her interpretation of Buganda traditions was misleading and disrespectful.

“While it is natural to be excited about your daughter’s marriage, your actions seem to be crossing boundaries of privacy and cultural sensitivity,” Nambooze said before adding that as a public figure, Nakibuuka’s words have far and reaching impact.

The Mukono Municipality legislator particularly took issue with Nakibuuka’s declaration that a goat received during the traditional ceremonies symbolized her daughter’s virginity.

According to Nambooze, she dismissed this claim as a distortion of Buganda culture. The MP explained that in tradition, it is the paternal aunt who confirms such matters privately.

In our culture, the paternal aunt plays a significant role in verifying the bride’s virginity. On the morning after the couple’s first night together, the husband informs the aunt, and she alone delivers a goat to mark the occasion. It is never a public declaration.

She went furthermore to explain that goats exchanged at Kwanjula sometimes carry an entirely different meaning.

In the context of Kwanjula, a goat can also be brought as a fine for Amawemukiraano, meaning the couple has already been intimate before marriage. That is not a trophy to celebrate, but a sign of regret.

Nambooze also challenged Nakibuuka’s double standards in mixing Christianity with culture. “You once said as a born-again Christian you don’t respect cultural rituals, but now you attach spiritual significance to a goat. Which is which?” she questioned.

Quoting from the Bible, Nambooze also reminded Nakibuuka of the importance of discretion. She referenced Joseph’s decision to protect Mary from public shame in Matthew 1:19.

“This example shows us that sensitive matters should be handled with care, not turned into a public spectacle,” she said.

Concluding her lecture, Hon Nambooze urged Nakibuuka to respect her daughter’s privacy and Buganda’s traditions.

You can celebrate your daughter’s happiness without distorting our culture or compromising her dignity.