The Bamulanzekis finally seal deal in style

For the more than a decade that I have worked with Nicholas Bamulanzeki at The Observer, I thought I had seen all sides of the gifted photojournalist.

An avid professional always chasing the perfect shot, he has a flashy character with a knack for collecting the latest gadgets. So, for someone who often directs photoshoots of high-profile weddings and events, little prepared me for the Bamulanzeki who took center stage at his own wedding to longtime sweetheart Brenda Matama on August 14 at Namirembe cathedral.

The Archbishop Most Rev Stephen Kazimba Mugalu officiating

The planning was meticulous to the dot. To start with, many of the 300 guests skipped the church service, where Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu united these two souls. Understandably, guests were perhaps still chasing some ‘ka money’, seeing as the wedding was on a Thursday afternoon.

For those who attended, they must have been shocked that the archbishop used his sermon to mostly shower praises on the couple, far from the usual lecture about the strict adherence to the marriage vows.

“You are a dear friend who has been very supportive to my ministry from the time I was enthroned as the ninth Archbishop, throughout the Covid-19 times to date. You have also greatly supported the media and communications ministry of the Church of Uganda,” he said.

“An award-winning international photojournalist, you have offered free, high-quality photography at our events, written accurate stories and defended me and the church on social media. I often read your positive stories and see your photos in The Observer and other outlets, but despite these achievements, you remain humble and [respectful].”

By 5pm, the Malibu Gardens reception venue at Bakuli, a stone’s throw away from Namirembe hill, was already almost full. I noted that oftentimes, newlyweds tend to be a little nervous, but the Bamulanzekis were vibrant, throughout.

In fact, the man, whose company normally does wedding gigs, was the star of his own production, with a little help from meticulous service providers. The entertainment from The All-Star band featuring Myko Ouma was top-notch.

*Joe Sax, Micheal Ouma , Emma Dragu and the band*

Ykee Benda and Naava Grey treated us to good performances, though, I must confess, the guests did not match the energy in enthusiasm. Even the MCs, Richard Tuwangye and Solomon Kimbugwe, quipped at one point that the Bamulanzekis must have invited some of the ‘stiffest’ people.

But then, the Bamulanzekis took over their own show by showing off silky dance moves that put most of the guests to shame. At the peak of the entertainment, Nicholas grabbed the microphone and joined the band to serenade Brenda with Ric Hassani’s Angel.

This was clearly the highlight of the night and it was evident he had rehearsed it for days. You could see and feel the couple’s joy and love on their wedding day. As we later got to learn from a former classmate, the newlyweds have been together since their university days in 2010, when Nicholas’ “strange maneuvres” in journalism lecture halls sparked a love story that made us converge at Bakuli for merrymaking.

*The Observer Newspaper family and other media personalities pose with the couple*

On a side note, the wedding felt like a reunion of Ugandan media as former classmates and colleagues reconnected over cocktails and banter.

The groom arrives at church with his parents

It was also evident many were just dreaming to seal the deal like the Bamulanzekis, who did it in style, arriving in a convoy of Mercedes Benz G-wagons and certainly dressed to the nines.

They may perhaps need to pick a leaf from the archbishop’s final words during the church sermon: “May the Bamulanzekis inspire fellow journalists to honour marriage, avoid cohabitation and live with moral integrity.”