Dancehall Queen Spice meets Katikkiro in full gomesi: 'I feel like royalty already'

The Katikkiro of Buganda welcomed Grace Latoya Hamilton, known as Spice, at Bulange Mengo on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

The Jamaican dancehall queen arrived dressed in a full gomesi as part of her official cultural tour ahead of Saturday's show at Lugogo Cricket Oval.

Before entering Bulange, the administrative seat of the Buganda Kingdom, Spice and her entire team were required to follow Buganda protocol and wear traditional attire, gomesi for the women and kanzu for the men. She was informed that she could not meet the Katikkiro without honouring Buganda by wearing a gomesi.

Excited to be there, Spice arrived at the Lubiri grounds wrapped in a regal floor-length gomesi with exaggerated shoulders and a sash. She posed for photos on the steps of Bulange and told the press she felt "like royalty already" as she took in the heritage of the kingdom.

During her meeting, she told Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga that she had eaten matooke, demonstrating her embrace of Ugandan food and culture.

She also visited the Kasubi Tombs to pay respects to the Buganda Kingdom's royal heritage.

The visit was a formal engagement with the Buganda Kingdom, organised by Safari Beats and the Uganda Tourism Board as part of her "entertainment tourism" week. Spice toured the palace, met kingdom officials, and learned about Buganda's culture while fans gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the Queen of Dancehall in traditional dress.

Earlier in her trip, Spice held a press conference at Luzira (Nile Breweries), where she experienced the vibe of Ugandan dancehall artists Fik Gaza and Ziza Bafana. After she promised Fiki Gaza a collaboration, tension arose between fans of the two artists that nearly led to a physical altercation. During the press conference, she was asked whether she was under management and clearly stated that she manages everything on her own and is not signed to any record label.

On her Instagram, she thanked the Uganda Tourism Board for welcoming her to the Pearl of Africa. She jokingly added, "Ritah Dancehall, thanks for rolling your bumba with me and showing out real bad on the blue carpet. I love my sister." She also said, "Looks like I might have to kidnap Director Jerome Kakande and take him back with me because these video edits are amazing. Thank you for capturing these memorable moments."

Spice also visited Namugongo to tour the martyrs' shrine and is scheduled to visit Murchison Falls National Park from Thursday through Friday, before headlining the Queens of the Stage concert on May 9 at Lugogo Cricket Oval.