Bwanika
The High Court has dissolved the marriage between Barbara Babirye Katamba and Matia Lwanga Bwanika after finding that Katamba had proved grounds of cruelty and desertion against Bwanika.
The judgment was delivered on June 19, 2026, by Justice John Eudes Keitirima, following a divorce petition filed by Katamba. The couple was married on December 29, 2011, at Sacred Heart Rubaga Cathedral Parish in Kampala and later lived together at their matrimonial home in Namulanda, along Lutembe Road, Kisubi Parish, Wakiso District.
They have one surviving child, a daughter identified in court documents as Nakakeeto Martina Milburgh, who is currently 10 years old. Katamba told court that the couple separated in 2017 after she had lived with Bwanika for about one year. She said she returned in 2021 following a request from Bwanika and intervention by family members, partly to support him during his political campaign rallies.
However, Katamba said the reunion did not resolve their marital problems. She alleged that Bwanika had deserted her, failed to provide support for her and their child, and continued conduct that eventually forced her to leave the matrimonial home. She told court that the couple had since lived separately and had not enjoyed conjugal rights.
In her petition, Katamba accused Bwanika of adultery and alleged that he had concealed information about previous relationships and children before their marriage. She claimed that he had several women and at least eight children from different relationships, and that he continued to maintain relationships with some of the women.
Katamba also alleged that Bwanika had a relationship with a woman identified as Sarah Walinda, with whom he had several children, including a daughter called Angella Nassaka. She further claimed that Bwanika built a house for Walinda in Kikokiro Zone, Wakiso District.
The petitioner also alleged that Bwanika made her younger sister pregnant in 2013, an incident she said deeply affected her and her family. She told court that his alleged infidelity extended to an attempt to seduce Namirembe Catherine, an employee at the family business, who reportedly showed Katamba a love letter written by Bwanika.
Katamba further alleged that in November 2016, Bwanika became involved with Hanifah Kasule Nalukenge and used family business money to purchase tickets for a trip with her to Dubai. According to the petition, Katamba confiscated the tickets after learning about the planned trip but later surrendered them, allowing Bwanika to travel with the woman.
She said she sought help from Catholic Church leaders and members of the family of the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere and his wife, but the efforts did not resolve the dispute. Katamba also accused Bwanika of repeatedly yelling, quarrelling, shouting at and tormenting her both at home and in public, conduct she said caused her mental anguish and psychological torture.
The petitioner told court that she fell seriously ill in March 2022 and was admitted to Mukwaya General Hospital, described as her family’s doctors’ hospital. After recovering, she travelled to the United States in June 2022 with Bwanika and their daughter.
During the trip, Katamba said she asked to remain in the United States to receive further medical attention. She alleged that the request angered Bwanika, who became violent and threatened to beat her in the presence of their hosts. She subsequently decided to remain in the United States with their daughter, citing her poor health, the alleged cruelty and the need to protect herself and the child from the marital conflict.
Katamba also told court that she and Bwanika had acquired several properties during their marriage, including their matrimonial home in Namulanda, Entebbe, Lutabba and Kasenge in Kisubi. She said she was prepared to leave the properties to Bwanika unless he chose to give her a share.
On custody, Katamba said she had been living with and providing for their daughter since 2017, while Bwanika had failed or neglected to support the child. She asked court to grant her physical custody and allow Bwanika access to the child under a cooperative parenting arrangement.
In his ruling, Justice Keitirima said Katamba’s evidence had not been challenged by Bwanika.
“The Petitioner has.therefore proved the grounds of desertion and cruelty against the respondent as her evidence was not controverted by the respondent. The marriage between the Petitioner and the respondent will be dissolved on the said grounds,” said the Judge.
The judge found that Katamba had been in full custody of the child since 2017 and had provided for the child’s maintenance. He said Bwanika had not shown interest in obtaining custody or provided maintenance.
“It is therefore in the best interests of the child that the Petitioner remains with the primary custody of the child,” the judge ruled.
The court granted Katamba primary custody of the child and gave Bwanika visitation rights, subject to at least seven days’ prior notice to Katamba. The judge also held that Bwanika retained parental responsibility and was required to contribute to the child’s education, medical care, shelter, clothing, food and other basic necessities.
The court issued a decree nisi dissolving the marriage on grounds of cruelty and desertion, ordered Bwanika to contribute to the child’s maintenance and awarded the costs of the petition to Katamba.
About The Author
