Ugandans will have to wait a little longer to know the mother of new Buganda Prince Richard Ssemakookiro after it emerged that the woman alleged to be the Prince’s mother denied the reports.
Patience Barbra Kirabo, whose photographs were on Wednesday published in The New Vision, and its sister vernacular publication – Bukedde purporting to be the mother of Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II’s son, yesterday denied ever having any relationship with the Buganda king.
Ms Kirabo, a mother of one, said the publication of her pictures had greatly injured her family and relationship with her spouse, and demanded an apology plus Shs500m in compensation for damages.
“The publication of the picture has infringed on my freedom. My spouse was set to introduce me in March this year but he has now pulled out,” she said at a press conference called by her attorney Francis Harimwomugasho.
Ms Kirabo of Makindye, Waswa Zone, a Kampala suburb, said she belongs to Emamba (Lung fish) clan and is daughter of Mr Sinan Wabbi and Ms Rehema Nakitto of Butambala in Mpigi District.
She is a salon attendant in Makindye, a Kampala suburb, and said she has never had access to the Kabaka, whether publicly or privately.
Buganda Prime Minister John Baptist Walusimbi on January 17 announced that the Kabaka had fathered a child in July 2011, with an unnamed woman from the Nsenene clan. No further details were given, leaving the media speculating that the mother was Rose Nansikombi from Bulemeezi in Luweero District.
Buganda Kingdom on Wednesday disputed the authenticity of the photographs and advised the media to wait for the Kabaka to present the prince’s mother at an appropriate time.
Kingdom Attorney General Apollo Makubuya, however, said the Kabaka would not take legal action against the newspapers but warned them to desist from using Buganda Kingdom affairs “to meet their selfish economic gains”.
New Vision Editor John Kakande declined to comment on the matter and referred the media to Vision Group Chief Executive Officer Robert Kabushenga.
Mr Kabushenga also declined to comment.
Mr Harimwomugasho yesterday said Ms Kirabo’s personality has been greatly reduced and that she has lost liberty of free movement as members of the society look at her in the capacity of the Kabaka’s wife.
Ms Kirabo also expressed her apologies to the people of Buganda, Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II and Queen Sylvia Nagginda for the humiliation she could have caused to the kingdom.
“I am a true Muganda and obedient to my king but I did not give birth to Prince Ssemakookiro. I have never been in a sexual relationship with the king to cause the birth of the baby and I don’t intend to,” Ms Kirabo said.
Since the Kabaka’s exposure of Prince Ssemakokiro last week, speculation among the public has grown, with many wondering who the mother of the likely Buganda heir could be.
Although the Kabaka and Buganda Kingdom officials remain silent on the issue, promising to release details when time is due, reports say Rose Nansikombi of Bulemeezi in Luweero District may be the mother of the boy.
Related posts: