Businessman Drake Lubega's wife files for divorce

The wife of Kampala businessman Drake Lubega has run to court, seeking to have their 36-year-old marriage ended through a divorce. She accuses her husband of cruelty.

In a divorce petition drawn by Lufunya Associated Advocates, Jalia Lubega Nagawa, wants court to separate them and they share the properties that she said they have worked together to acquire.

Nagawa told court that she introduced Lubega to her parents in Nazigo, Kayunga district, in 1984, before they got married on August 1, 1989, under the Kiganda customary marriage at Banda, Nakawa division, Kampala.

Nagawa listed 30 properties mainly in Kampala, whose acquisition she argued that she worked hard for, but without any pay. Nagawa said she wants at least five of the properties.

In the petition filed in the family division of the High Court on November 2, Nagawa accused her husband of engaging in acts of violence that always resulted into miscarriage, denial of conjugal rights, abandonment, slavery and economic servitude.

“The respondent (Lubega) has denied the petitioner (Nagawa) business opportunities and has declined to account for proceeds of the business empire that was built by the petitioner and respondent as business partners.

Lubega and his wife lived together for about 20 years where the Nagawa was actively involved through making regular trips abroad for business transactions,” she told court, and tendered in evidence to that effect.

Nagawa told court that she has since separated with her husband and they live separately without any form of association, and that there remains no hope whatsoever, for the two to live together again as husband and wife.

She informed court that she is now residing at Nazigo- Kiseveni in Kayunga (her parents’ home).

“Due to the cruelty and abandonment of the respondent (Lubega), the marriage of your petitioner (Nagawa)and the respondent has irretrievably broken down,” she submitted.

Nagawa contended that there was no collusion or connivance that exists between her and Lubega, because Lubega himself has never condoned such acts.

Nagawa asked court for a decree to dissolve their marriage, orders on disposal of matrimonial and business properties, Lubega to pay costs of the petition and any other relief that court may deem fit.

When Uganda times talked to Nagawa about her petition for a divorce, she burst into tears, before recomposing herself and accused Lubega of turning against her yet they have worked together to achieve the wealth they have.

“I cried because I have pain in my heart that I failed to have a child because the man would always kick me and I get miscarriages,” the now 56-year-old Nagawa, said.

Lubega’s response When contacted for a comment on the petition, Lubega said the matter was before court and that he had nothing much to say about it because the law does not allow him to do so.

“My mouth and hands are tied because the matter is in court. Let us wait for what will come out of court,” Lubega, who admitted that the issue had affected him, told New Vision on phone.

Properties Nagawa wants shared