The Kabaka sent apologies to us

Why did you choose August 27, 2011 as your wedding date?
Bobi Wine: We chose the date because it was the same as Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II’s wedding date to the Nnabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda Luswata. The two wedded on August 27, 1999.

How much did you spend on the wedding?
Bobi Wine: It was over Shs500m. Much as we spent this amount, we were offered most of the services free of charge on that day.

How did you manage to raise this amount of money?
Bobi Wine: Our savings as well as people’s contributions.

Your best part of the wedding was…?
Bobi Wine: When I saw Barbie’s father, Dr Gershom Kagaaju walking her down the aisle. It was such a beautiful moment.
Also, when the Kabaka’s gift was presented to my wife and I at the reception. Although he did not make it to the wedding, I was very humbled that he apologised in a letter and wished us the best in our marriage.
Barbie: While exchanging vows at church, his eyes looked magical than ever before. Then during the reception, I was really captivated by the beautiful decorations at Serena hotel and overwhelmed by the big turn up of our cheerful guests.

What gift did the Kabaka give you?
Bobi Wine: (laughs) I cannot disclose that. You want thieves to come and rob me? It was something very priceless.

Did you encounter any disappointments on the D-day?
Bobi Wine: The night ended too early (2am). I was just beginning to have fun and then realised that time had really flown.
The other thing was that we had hired two helicopters to use after the service but then the plan did not go as intended because the concerned authorities changed their minds.
Barbie: Like Bobi has said, the authorities refused us to use the helicopters as we had earlier planned. We ended up using Sudhir Ruparelia’s horses free of charge.

If you were given another opportunity to repeat the wedding, what would you do differently?
Bobi Wine: I would take the wedding to One Love Beach in Busabala. This is because it is where I proposed to Barbie from and it is where most of my fans would have preferred me to wed from. I ‘m a ghetto child and I still feel bad about my people missing my wedding. In fact, I will redo this wedding at Busabala. Mark my word.
Barbie: I would ensure that we take garden pictures. We did not get the opportunity to do so during the wedding because of the tight security. We were advised to keep indoors after being told that we would cause chaos in case we came out.

What prevented you from holding the wedding at One Love Beach then?
Bobi Wine: Well, sometimes your profile determines the way things are done. Sometimes I do not decide on things by myself. The choices are at times made by both of us.

Who was the best man at the wedding?
Bobi Wine: It was my elder brother, Julius Walakira. I chose him because we share a lot in common.

And the maid of honour?
Barbie: Ms Joy Najitia Hauls, one of my long-time friends.

Didn’t the wedding leave you in debt?
Barbie: No, we got most things free of charge.