Who is Jovia Mutesi? Flash Uganda Media looks at her biography, age, husband, family, tribe, achievements, and relationship with Kyabazinga Wilberforce William Gabula Nadiope IV, Inebantu and the early life and education of the Queen of Busoga Kingdom.
Known as the Mother of Busoga, Jovia Mutesi is the fifth Queen (Inhebantu) of Busoga Kingdom.
Her Royal Highness is wedded to the current King of Busoga, Kyabazinga Wilberforce William Gabula Nadiope IV.
Apart from her responsibilities to the Kingdom, Mutesi is a professional lawyer, advocates for human rights, is a devoted philanthropist, and works as a social worker.
She specializes in supporting causes of women and children.
Early Life
Jovia Mutesi was born in Eastern Uganda’s Mayuge District on June 15, 1992.
She grew up in the Mayuge District of Busoga, in the Bunga Bunanumba Chiefdom. Her childhood residence can be found in Mayuge Town Council’s St. Matia Mulumba Zone.
By tribe, Queen Jovia Mutesi is a Musoga, descended from the “Baise Menhya clan.”
She is an active member of the Anglican Church of Uganda and a devoted Christian.
Education Background
Growing up in the Busoga region, Jovia Mutesi attended Shimoni Demonstration School for her early primary schooling and then Kampala Parent’s School where she finished her primary education.
Following that, she enrolled at St. Mary’s College Namagunga for her secondary education in Mukono district.
She did exceptionally well academically and in extracurricular activities during her time here. She was the head girl in her last year and she finished in 2009.
Following graduation from Namagunga, Mutesi was accepted to Nkozi University and Makerere University.
She was offered a Bachelor of Arts in Economics course at Makerere University, and an Accounting and Finance course at Nkozi University.
She attended Makerere University to obtain a Bachelor of Laws degree, which she earned with honours in 2013.
While attending Makerere, she lived at the Olympia Hostel in Kikoni.
She subsequently enrolled at the Law Development Center, a Kampala-based legal education facility, where she completed her postgraduate diploma in legal practice in 2014.
She also graduated in 2016 with a Master of Laws from the University of Pretoria in South Africa with a focus on human rights and democratization in Africa.
Education background summary
| Years | Institution | Status/Award |
| 2002 | Kampala Parent’s School | P.L.E – Completed |
| 2003 – 2009 | St. Mary’s College Namagunga | UCE and UACE – Completed |
| 2010 – 2013 | Makerere University | Bachelor of Laws degree |
| 2014 | Law Development Centre | Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice |
| 2015 – 2016 | University of Pretoria | Master of Laws degree |
Family background
Jovia Mutesi is the daughter of Stanley Bayoole, a politician and civil servant who is currently the Bulambuli district’s resident district commissioner.
Her mother Florence Bayoole was a farmer and stay-at-home mom. Queen Mutesi was named after her late grandmother.
Her three siblings are Emmanuel Bayoole, a student and singer from Jinja who performs under the stage name Eman B., Lydia Bayoole, a nurse and mother of two in Kampala, and Isaac Bayoole, a businessman and father in Jinja.
Queen Jovia Mutesi is descended from a politically influential family.
Her father was the chief representative of the FDC in Busoga before joining the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in 2015.
Before his defeat in 2011, he previously served as mayor of Mayuge Town Council.
Ms. Sarah Namumbya, her paternal aunt, served as the Mayuge District Woman representative twice.
Additionally, Richard Kudeeba, her uncle, was the FDC’s electoral commissioner for a considerable amount of time.
Royal Marriage
After her senior year, Jovia was deciding between Nkozi and Makerere University when she met William Gabula IV through her brothers. Afterwards, they became friends and started dating. They got engaged in 2020.
The Busoga Kingdom proclaimed Jovia Mutesi as the Inhebantu of the Kingdom (Queen of Busoga) on September 7th, 2023.
Following a customary ceremony at her ancestral home in Mayuge Town Council, Mayuge district, Jovia Mutesi and William Gabula IV had their official wedding in Christ Cathedral Bugembe in Jinja City on November 18, 2023.
They received blessings from Archbishop Samuel Kaziimba of the Church of Uganda and exchanged vows and rings at the occasion.
For the Busoga Kingdom, which had been without a queen for more than 50 years following the death of Irene Drusilla Namaganda in 1969, this union was a momentous historical occasion.
The previous Inhebantu, Alice Muloki, died on November 6, 2005. She was the wife of the late Henry Wako Muloki, Kyabazinga.
Career and Professional Work Experience
Jovia Mutesi began her career at the Uganda Human Rights Commission in 2014 and worked as a legal officer, specializing in violations of human rights, especially those of women and children.
After that, she joined Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates, a firm with a focus on civil litigation and corporate law.
She worked with a wide range of clients, including banks, individuals, and both domestic and foreign businesses. She coached new attorneys and took part in pro bono work.
She became the Inhebantu of Busoga in 2021 and assumed her royal responsibilities.
She currently serves as the chair of the Busoga Women’s Council and is in charge of welfare initiatives for women, children, and the elderly.
The region’s ecology, tourism, agriculture, health care, and way of living have all been enhanced by the numerous projects and initiatives led by the Kyabazinga and the Inhebantu.
Additionally, they have been advocating for the development and preservation of Basoga heritage, language, and culture.
Work experience background summary
| Year | Institution | Position |
| 2014 – 2016 | Uganda Human Rights Commission | Legal Officer |
| 2016 – 2021 | Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates | Associate |
| 2021 – | Busoga Kingdom | Inhebantu of Busoga |
Other Career accomplishments
The Mutesi Foundation, a non-governmental organization that seeks to empower women and girls via access to economic, health, and educational opportunities, is patroned by Jovia Mutesi.
In addition, she serves as the ambassador for the Girl Child Network Uganda, a group that promotes the welfare and rights of girls in Uganda.
Achievements and Awards
Jovia Mutesi is a well-known attorney and human rights advocate who has helped Ugandan justice and democracy progress.
For her efforts, she has won numerous honours and recognitions, including:
- – The Uganda Law Society Pro Bono Award in 2018 for her exceptional commitment to the provision of pro bono legal services to the underprivileged and disenfranchised.
- – The 2019 African Women Leadership Award, in recognition of her outstanding leadership and contributions to the legal community and profession.
- – The Golden Jubilee Medal in 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the country and the Kingdom of Busoga.
Controversies
Mutesi has been the target of accusations of ethnicity due to her skin tone. Jovia Mutesi, however, is a pure Musoga by tribe and has no Rwandese relatives, despite false social media rumours to the contrary.
When a rumoured accomplice who lived in the UK launched a deadly tirade against Jovia Mutesi, the happy announcement of the Inebantu celebrations took a sharp turn.
Among other damning allegations, she stated on an infamous audio tape that she had been in close contact with the Kyabazinga for a long time and that they had raised their joint children abroad.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed to be the main source of funding for all of Nadiope’s expenses, including costly trips and daily expenses.
She also said that Nadiope was coerced into the marriage, casting doubt on the authenticity of his emotions for his new queen.
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