Just days after a romantic lakeside proposal, celebrated music producer Emmanuel “Kuseim” Ssempijja officially solidified his bond with professional makeup artist Kathy Bae Powerz via an intimate Kwanjula (introduction) ceremony, an essential rite symbolising the joining of two families in readiness for marriage.
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Kuseim got down on one knee during a private lakeside date near Munyonyo on the shores of Lake Victoria. With only close friends and family on board, the couple celebrated with cheers, hugs, a champagne pop, and a heartfelt “yes” from Kathy. Videos captured the tearful embrace, bottle popping, and wave of joy that swept through the small gathering.
About the couple
Kuseim, known as the mastermind behind hit tracks such as Eddy Kenzo’s “Mbilo Mbilo” (2015), Azawi’s “Quinamino,” and Pia Pounds’s chart-toppers, has long been a cornerstone of Uganda’s modern soundscape. He currently serves as CEO of Africa Bureau of Music and is highly respected for shaping Uganda’s musical style.
Kathy Bae Powerz (sometimes styled as Cathy or Kathy) recently graduated from Makerere University and has built a strong personal brand as a makeup artist and entrepreneur. She shares glimpses of her creative life on TikTok and Instagram, where fans follow her artistic journey.
Social media reactions celebrated both the proposal and the woman at its heart. One TikTok clip highlighted:
“After spending three years in relationship, Uganda music Producer @Kuseim baddest ‘Fresh’ proposes to his girlfriend @Cathybaepowerz.”
This suggests the couple, who started dating around 2022, have weathered a significant relationship journey leading up to this moment.
An intimate, traditional kwanjula
Soon after their romantic engagement, the couple held a private Kwanjula ceremony with only immediate family, honouring Buganda tradition in a solemn yet joyful gathering. In this ceremony, both families met formally; the groom’s entourage presented symbolic gifts (often including traditional attire, food items, and symbolic dowry), and meetings were conducted in Luganda to underscore the cultural authenticity of the union.
These rituals, ranging from formal greetings by the mutual spokespersons, consumption of coffee berries (symbolising unity), to the dancing and feasting, affirm the event’s role as a binding cultural passage before the church or registry wedding.
What comes next?
With the Kwanjula behind them, Kuseim and Kathy are preparing for their wedding ceremony. While the exact date has yet to be confirmed, sources close to the couple say plans are underway for a star-studded, holy matrimonial ceremony, expected to draw many of East Africa’s biggest music stars and celebrities.
Fans have flooded social media with warm wishes and blessings. The couple’s journey, from a lakeside proposal through traditional rites to an upcoming wedding, sparks excitement across Uganda’s entertainment and cultural landscape.
