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The Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muvawala trumpeted the news at a press conference, unveiling a portrait of Her Royal Highness Jovia Mutesi, the ‘Inebantu’ of Busoga.
The announcement sparked wild celebrations from outside the kingdom palace in Bugembe, through the streets of Jinja and other parts of the Kingdom.
Muvawala made the announcement just hours after traditional ceremonies were held with the queen’s family.
The Premier also announced that arrangements were underway for the Royal Wedding set for November 18 at Christ Cathedral Bugembe.
“This is a true reflection of how cultured our King and the Queen are. As a person just like other Busoga adherents of the Kingdom, I am satisfied that Busoga's missing link has finally been found and I can confirm with certainty that more blessings await ahead,” said Muvawala.
In Jinja, residents celebrated this Kingdom milestone with fanfare.
“This is the greatest day in my life…even if I die today, I will go a happy man,” exclaimed one man outside the palace.
The rest of Ugandans also took to social media to congratulate the King and the Queen as well as the people of Busoga.
Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga said he and the people of Buganda received the news from Busoga with great joy.
“We wish the Kyabazinga of Busonga happiness and peace in his marriage journey that starts on November 18. We congratulate the people of Busoga,” he said.
“Your Royal Highness the Inhebantu, Jovia Mutesi, we welcome you to the Chiefdom of Bugabula and to the Obwa Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga, we have been anxiously waiting for you,” posted Minister for East African Affairs and former Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
The announcement of the queen, however, also enlisted a debate on social media with some users probing the identity of the queen.
Some users even questioned the ethnicity of Her Royal Highness, noting that her name is often associated with Rwandans living in Uganda.
However, other social media users from the region quickly pointed out that the name Mutesi is widely used in Busoga.
“Mutesi is purely a Kisoga name from one of the greatest clans of Busoga! Umutetsi is a Kinyarwanda name but Rwandese in Uganda call themselves Mutesi instead of Umutetsi. Our Queen is an original breed of the land. case closed!” posted one X user.
Prime Minister Muvawala in his statement did not disclose any information about the family of the Queen. He said, however, that the Inebantu would be “unveiled to the people of Busoga and the world at large” on her wedding day.