Ugandan woman explains living with husband and boyfriend in one-bedroom home
JINJA, Uganda – Community leaders in eastern Uganda have resolved an unusual domestic dispute involving a 46-year-old woman who was living with both her husband and her boyfriend in a single-bedroom house, according to reports from local media.
Judith Babirye had been living with Steven Orwenyi for approximately 10 months after believing her husband, Isaac Omoding, had died, the Daily Monitor reported . The situation changed on May 3, 2026, when Omoding returned to their village in Kagoma Town Council, Jinja District .
“When Omoding returned, I could not deny him access to the house. I informed Orwenyi about the situation and decided that we should coexist peacefully,” Babirye told local leaders, according to the Daily Monitor .
The arrangement quickly deteriorated. Babirye reported that Orwenyi became uncomfortable sharing the home and accused him of stealing household items and insulting her . She brought the matter to village leaders and requested that Orwenyi leave.
Orwenyi refused to vacate unless reimbursed for his contributions. According to The Independent Uganda, he had earned 150,000 Ugandan shillings monthly as a security guard and had also built a pit latrine for the household .
“I feel I deserve compensation because I invested my money and time in this relationship,” Orwenyi told elders, as reported by multiple news outlets .
LC1 Chairperson George Batema told reporters that village council members organized a mediation meeting . Community members contributed 32,500 shillings for Orwenyi’s transport, while Babirye agreed to pay the remaining 100,000 shillings within two months .
Orwenyi accepted the agreement and departed peacefully. Omoding pledged to care for Babirye and her seven children, according to the Daily Monitor .
Batema warned residents against multiple relationships, stating they often lead to domestic violence and community insecurity .