The political corridors of Uganda are buzzing after Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao tied the knot with his longtime lover, Beatrice Nambi, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu. The drama surrounding their romance and the wedding has everyone talking!
Beatrice Nambi, now Beatrice Mao, was once Mao’s research assistant at the Democratic Party (DP). Her journey to the altar with Mao is nothing short of a soap opera. Previously married to Martin Kayanja, who now lives in London, Beatrice tried her hand at politics by running for the Kampala Lord Mayoral position. However, her political ambitions hit a snag when she failed to secure nominations from major parties like the NRM and Bobi Wine’s NUP.
She eventually settled for Mao’s DP, but fate had other plans. The Electoral Commission, led by Justice Simon Byabakama, disqualified her from the race for failing to register as a voter. It was during this politically tumultuous period that love blossomed between Mao and Beatrice, as her marriage to Kayanja was reportedly on the rocks.
Norbert Mao himself is no stranger to marital drama. He was married to Naomi Achieng Odongo for 16 years before they divorced in 2019. Now, he has found love again with Beatrice. The couple exchanged vows in a ceremony attended by close friends and notable figures, including Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and his wife.
The wedding wasn’t just any ordinary event. It followed traditional ceremonies, including an introduction or kwanjula. Mao, ever the admirer of Buganda culture, couldn’t help but gush about the elaborate rituals. “I really love the Buganda Culture! Marriage is not just a contract between two people. It is a covenant between families and communities. So, today in the small hours of the night before dawn my family went to bring my wife home. What an elaborate culture of intricate rituals!” he exclaimed.
Of course, no high-profile wedding is complete without a bit of drama. A group of ‘concerned’ DP members, led by Henry Kamya, raised objections to the union, claiming that Mao and Beatrice could not be trusted with the sacrament of holy matrimony. Despite the naysayers, the couple went ahead with their plans, sealing their love in a beautiful ceremony.
