The High Court has dissolved the marriage of politician Matia Lwanga Bwanika after his wife, Barbara Babirye Katamba, proved grounds of cruelty and desertion.
Justice John Eudes Keitirima delivered the ruling on June 19, 2026.
He noted that Bwanika did not respond to the petition and left Katamba’s evidence entirely unchallenged.
The judge stated that she had proved both grounds because her testimony was not controverted.
The couple wed on December 29, 2011, at Sacred Heart Rubaga Cathedral Parish in Kampala and later settled in Namulanda, Wakiso District.
They have one surviving child, a ten-year-old daughter, Nakakeeto Martina Milburgh.
Katamba told the court that they separated in 2017 and briefly reunited in 2021 at his request, partly to support his campaign rallies.
She alleged that Bwanika hid earlier relationships and fathered at least eight children with different women before and during the marriage.
She further claimed he had an ongoing relationship with a woman named Sarah Walinda, with whom he had several children, and built her a house in Kikokiro Zone, Wakiso District.
Other allegations included that he made her younger sister pregnant in 2013 and tried to seduce a family business employee, who reportedly produced a love letter from him.
Katamba also claimed he used business funds in November 2016 to buy tickets for a Dubai trip with another woman.
She said he routinely shouted at and tormented her, causing severe mental anguish.
During a June 2022 trip to the United States, she alleged, he threatened violence when she asked to stay for further medical care.
The court granted Katamba primary custody of their daughter, noting that she had been the sole provider since 2017.
Bwanika got visitation rights on at least seven days’ notice and was ordered to contribute to the child’s education, healthcare, shelter and food.