Ugandan politician and Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament, Betty Nambooze Bakireke, has urged gospel singer Betty Nakibuuka, mother of gospel artist Baby Gloria (Gloria Mulungi Senyonjo), to refrain from publicizing intimate details about her daughter’s life particularly her virginity and traditional customs tied to her recent Kwanjula and upcoming wedding.
It should be recalled during Baby Gloria’s traditional introduction ceremony (Kwanjula) which was held on August 22, 2025, Nakibuuka publicly declared her daughter’s virginity.
“Gloria is a virgin. I told her I wanted her to get married like how I did. I got married when I was a virgin, and I tell all my girls to follow the same. Even if you messed along the way with someone, I believe God can make you pure again.”,Nakibuuka disclosed.
This comment quickly drew criticism, with many including MP Nambooze arguing that such declarations overstep personal and cultural boundaries.
In a detailed Facebook post, Nambooze addressed Nakibuuka directly, expressing disappointment over her public handling of a deeply private matter:
“Dear Maama Gloria, while it’s natural to be excited about your daughter’s engagement, your recent behavior has crossed the line in terms of privacy and cultural sensitivity. As a public figure, your actions carry weight, and oversharing intimate details—like your daughter’s virginity—can be both inappropriate and damaging.”,Nambooze stated.
Nambooze further criticized Nakibuuka’s interpretation of Buganda cultural practices, particularly her claim that the goat presented during the ceremony symbolized Gloria’s virginity.
“In Buganda culture, the matter of a bride’s virginity is a private affair handled discreetly by the paternal aunt. If the bride is found to be a virgin, a goat is quietly delivered by the aunt the morning after the wedding night. It is not a public declaration or a celebratory trophy.”,she Criticzed Nakibuuka.
She added that, traditionally, a goat given at the Kwanjula can also symbolize Amawemuukiraano a fine or acknowledgment that the bride is not a virgin. Misrepresenting this tradition, she warned, distorts cultural meanings and misleads the public.
Appealing to shared Christian values, Betty Nambooze referenced the biblical story of Joseph, who sought to protect Mary from public shame upon learning of her pregnancy:
“As a Christian, you should value discretion. Joseph chose to handle a sensitive situation privately to avoid humiliating Mary. That example should guide us in how we approach delicate family matters.”she argued.
Betty Nambooze concluded her message with a heartfelt plea:
“Celebrate your daughter’s joy, but do so with respect for her privacy and our cultural traditions. Public platforms are not the place for such intimate disclosures.”
Baby Gloria, known for her career in gospel music, held her Kwanjula on August 22, 2025, with her wedding scheduled for August 29, 2025. Her mother’s vocal pride in her daughter’s virginity has dominated media headlines, but critics like MP Nambooze argue that such personal matters should be kept within the family.
This incident serves as a broader reminder about the need to balance cultural pride, parental joy, and public decorum especially in the age of social media.