Ugandan gospel artist Baby Gloria and fellow singer Mbaleka Jonas were married Friday in a church ceremony that drew friends, family and colleagues to Redeemed Church in Makerere, a neighborhood near the capital’s main university.
The wedding capped months of traditional ceremonies, including an engagement, Kukyala (a customary visit to the bride’s family) and an introduction, which is a cultural rite of passage in many Ugandan communities.
The event was marked by a number of personal moments, among them Baby Gloria walking down the aisle with her father before exchanging vows with Jonas. The singer wore a gown designed by Ugandan couturier Dyna Vence Ruvuza, known for his custom bridal work.
Photographer Samie Luswata, makeup artist Glam by Keith and stylists from Phery Hairs were among the creative team behind the wedding, while JK Gift Hampers Uganda provided floral arrangements and Oree Bridal Car Decoration handled wedding car styling.
On Instagram, Gloria posted an album of photos with the caption: “FINALLY MRS. MBALEKA. I do… thank you Jesus.”
Her announcement quickly gained traction online. Congratulatory messages poured in on X, formerly Twitter, with fans celebrating the couple and sharing images from the ceremony. Within hours, photos of the newlyweds were trending across Ugandan social media.
Jonas, who focuses his singing on ministry work, first began performing in 2006 during a church production called Celebrate Emmanuel. He and Gloria met years later at an event organized by Power 104.1 FM, a Ugandan Christian radio station.
“I was friends with one of the presenters who later gave me Gloria’s number,” Jonas said, remembering an early introduction through Kampala’s Power 104.1 FM radio. “He told me she had good music and encouraged me to reach out for a collaboration.”
At first, Gloria ignored his message, Jonas admitted. “With time, the friend who connected us reached out to Gloria again and told her about me. That’s when she reached out and everything began from there,” he said.
From that early introduction, their partnership grew into a relationship grounded in faith and music. On Friday, they formalized it before family, friends and church members, marking the start of a new chapter as husband and wife.
