KAMPALA – Social commentator and businessman Frank Gashumba has publicly addressed his absence from a recent Kukyala (formal introduction) ceremony, stating that while an invitation was not necessary, his role as a benefactor warranted an acknowledgment.
The comments came after he was not invited to the traditional ceremony of a woman identified as Nabukeera, whom Gashumba claims to have supported extensively during a difficult period in her life.
In a statement, Gashumba reframed the issue not as a personal slight but as a breach of cultural and guardian protocol. “Nabukeera not inviting me to her Kukyala is not a big issue. The most important part is that I saved her life,” he stated.
He elaborated on his past support, claiming, “At a time when everyone was isolating her, I welcomed her into my home, paid her school fees—including university where I covered 2M per semester.”
Gashumba concluded that his primary grievance was not the lack of an invitation but the failure to inform him, which would have allowed him to fulfill his perceived role. “I don’t think I needed to be invited. As her guardian, she should have informed me, and I would have organized the ceremony myself.”
The Kukyala ceremony is a significant Baganda cultural event symbolizing the formal introduction of a suitor to the bride’s family, often marking the official start of marriage proceedings. The role of a guardian or sponsor is traditionally honored within these proceedings.
Gashumba’s remarks have sparked discussion on social media, with debates centering on the expectations of reciprocity, the evolving nature of cultural traditions, and the boundaries between generosity and obligation.
