By Dean Lubowa Saava
The Opinion: Last night, the editor of Uganda’s most popular vernacular tabloid, Bukedde, prompted Vice Chancellor and Kampala University owner Prof. Badru Kateregga to exclaim loudly, “Omukazi Angobye Munju,” which translates to “The woman has thrown me out of the house” in Luganda. The main story inside featured a kicker that read, “Omukazi yankuba olubale kati angobye mu maaka gange,” meaning “The woman hit me and now has thrown me out of my marital home”.
This controversy surrounds Prof. Kateregga’s marital issues, with his wife, Jolly, accused of domestic violence. However, investigations by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) revealed that Kateregga’s claims were unfounded, citing his attendance at public events and medical visits during the alleged period of confinement.
The controversy surrounding Prof. Badru Kateregga’s marital issues has taken a tribal turn, with him accusing his wife, a Rwandan native, of domestic violence and grabbing his Buziga home.
This move has sparked debate, especially considering Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, has faced claims of Rwandan origins, while his main opponent, Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), is married to a Rwandan native.
Whereas the news platforms can’t be blamed for running Prof. Kateregga’s lamentations as gospel truth, the educationist stand himself blamed for misleading the media, as well as the entire public. This stance, given the fact that this Publication, TV10 Gano Mazima, upon leakage of Prof. Kateregga’s claims some months ago, of having been hit by his wife, and the same having thrown him out of their marital home, we had gone down to dig the facts.
For starters, the 78-year-old Professor is officially married to his 35-year-old wife and business partner, having tied the knot via Islamic Sharia laws on March 3rd, 2013. However, this doesn’t erase the fact that the Professor has other known wives and/or mistresses around the country. But why Jolly is at the center of the family conflict may require an examination of how they met.
Professor Kateregga, like his previous relationships, met Jolly when she was a 22-year-old student at Kampala University, where he is the Vice Chancellor. He discovered her during her second year and was impressed by her skills in institutionalism and business marketing. As a result, he appointed her as a shareholder and fellow director, overseeing marketing and finance at the university.
Under Jolly’s management, the family business expanded to Kenya and Rwanda, with branches established in both countries. However, as time passed, the couple’s relationship deteriorated due to accusations and counter-accusations of infidelity. This development occurred after they had three children together, including 11-year-old twins and a 4-year-old boy
Documents obtained by our editorial team suggest that Professor Kateregga may be attempting to discredit his wife, Jolly, after losing legal battles against her.
Key points include:
Paternity Case: Prof. Kateregga filed a case against Jolly at Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, questioning the paternity of their three children and requesting a DNA test.
Previous Accusations: The professor has made public accusations against Jolly, including claims of domestic violence and infidelity.
Legal Setbacks: Investigations by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) have cast doubt on Kateregga’s claims, revealing inconsistencies in his story.
These developments raise questions about Kateregga’s motivations and the potential impact on his reputation and relationships.
In the same lawsuit, Jolly counter-accused Kateregga of physically abandoning the family and failing to provide for them. According to Grade One Magistrate Charles Opio’s ruling, Jolly filed a maintenance order application, prompting Kateregga to request a DNA test to verify the paternity of their three children, citing suspicions that they may not be his biological offspring.
Professor Kateregga was surprised when Jolly did not oppose his request for a DNA test, but she expressed concerns that he intended to use it as a delaying tactic to avoid paying maintenance. Jolly proposed that the DNA test be conducted by the United States Department of State, citing the children’s American citizenship. This suggestion responded to Kateregga’s request for an accredited foreign medical facility to ensure transparency and accuracy in the test results.
The Magistrate has ordered Professor Kateregga and his wife, Jolly, to undergo DNA testing at the Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) in Wandegeya on April 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. to determine the paternity of their three children. The court also allows them to seek further verification at a foreign accredited facility after the initial test.
Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) Details
Location: Plot 2, Lourdel Road, Nakasero, Wandegeya, Kampala
Services: Forensic biology (DNA), toxicology, food and drug analysis, water and environmental testing
Accreditation: Certified by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Council (UMDPC) and the Allied Health Practitioners’ Council (AHPC)
DNA Testing Costs
Paternity test (trio): 480,000 UGX
Relationship test (each sample): 200,000 UGX
Other Accredited Laboratories in Uganda
MBN Clinical Laboratories: Nakasero Road, Kampala
Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL): Ministry of Health
National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL): Ministry of Health
Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC): Research and diagnostic services
Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI): Research and diagnostic services.
In the same measure, Court granted Jolly’s prayer for maintenance of the children pending the DNA results. “However, in determination of matters concerning or relating children, court puts regard to their welfare. The welfare principle is paramount consideration,” he ruled, before ordering Kateregga to “be remitting UGX3,000,000 for maintenance of the children every month, to me this is an adequate amount pending the DNA test results.”
On the issue of allegedly being hit and injured by Jolly before reportedly throwing him out of the marital home, Kateregga himself filed a criminal case against Jolly at Kibuli-premised Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters. It is in our opinion of this publication, that Kateregga filed the domestic violence and assault case, in hope of sure victory, assuming that it was still yesteryears CID where, justice was a preserve of the loaded and connected!
For starters, today’s CID is led by Maj. Tom Magambo, the no-nonsense lad, richly endowed with fine military intelligence credentials. To this end, Detectives went down to work, giving no room for any interruptions away from investigating to logical conclusion, Prof. Kateregga’s allegations, claiming that he was held incommunicado for one week at his home. To the Professor’s dismay, the Detectives’ extensive investigations punched holes in his claims.
Upon closure of their probe, investigators revealed that the professor was actively engaged in multiple public and private activities during the period he claimed to have been “held incommunicado” by his wife Jolly! They cited a meeting involving the Mpologoma Clan and the Buganda Attorney General he attended at Mengo on 27th August 2024!
They also established that Kateregga attended Burial Planning meetings for the send-off of Nnamuguzi, the Head of the Mpologoma Clan between August 28th and 31st 2024. The good Professor was also cited at Busaabala, Kazi Scouts Site, with the Country’s Vice President on August 30th 2024. On September 3rd 2024, Professor Kateregga was positively placed at the burial of his brother, a one Jjuuko in Butambala!
Detectives further established that between 4th and 7th September 2024, Kateregga made medical visits to his physician, Dr. Silver Bahendeka at Doctor’s Plaza in Nsambya on two occasions. Again, he was seen at Georgina’s Eye Clinic, surprisingly, with his very wife he’s accusing of having held him incommunicado at home!
On 8th September 2024, accompanied by his family members, Kateregga checked into IHK, where he underwent surgery for blood clots. Detectives established that the Professor had previously dealt with the same clot condition, and his neurologist, Dr. Joel Kiryabwire, confirmed the same. This denies credence to allegations that the wound Kateregga parades as an injury visited on him by his wife, is actually a medical dressing courtesy of the surgery.
Investigators further gathered that Professor Kateregga maintained regular communication via his phone during the period he was allegedly held “incommunicado” by his wife, hence watering down his claim of being isolated. Detectives further linked Kateregga’s claims to the ongoing family conflicts involving his older children and individuals opposed to his relationship with Jolly.
Furthermore, investigators landed on reports that Professor Kateregga is cohabiting with a another 24yr old lady, hence adding another layer of complexity to his narrative. “The motive behind the false detention claims remains unclear,” summed up the police investigations report before the same was forwarded to the DPP for charge preferences. Upon perusal of the same police findings, the DDP honorably dismissed Kateregga’s claims against his wife before setting aside the file!
This unfolding scandal has left Ugandans divided. While some sympathize with Mzee Kateregga’s claims, others see him as a man desperate to protect his image after losing legal battles against his wife. What remains clear though, is that the saga is far from over. The question is… Will the Professor accept defeat, or another shocking revelation is simply hovering over his head?
