Woman used by three men; abandoned with four children

By Vision Reporter

"I have four children fathered by three men but none of them gives me help; I now hate something called a man!" Macline Sande 30, a resident of Masajja Kibira B in Wakiso district narrates her story with bitterness.

I first slept with a man when I was 17 in 1990. This one wooed me from my uncle's home with promises of renting me a house which he did.

Things were rosy at first; he was the star in my sky and showered me with love; I never thought he would leave me. But when I got pregnant with his son he fled the home and I suffered alone till I gave birth.

I struggled to raise my child; I cultivated in neighbours' gardens to earn a living.

In 1998, overwhelmed with loneliness and hardships I met another man. He too showered me with love and this time I believed I had met my knight in shining armour.

He convinced me he loved only me and he would till death. We struggled together earning a living through farming people's gardens. He was responsible and always gave me money to buy things for the home.

Life seemed good until one day his wife stormed our little house and warned that she would do something to me that I would never forget if she found me with her man again.

Then I was pregnant with his second child, my third born! That day when he left he never returned.

Like the rare total eclipse he came into my life and walked out of it just like that.

Fellow women, at this point, I felt my soul had been ripped out of me and was hopeless because I was sure this time I had got a man for keeps.

I actually am ashamed to say this, but in 2013, I let another man into my life.

This one was resilient. Despite my assurances he followed me every time I went to the market. Coincidentally we did the same work. I eventually was subdued and let down my guard. He asked me to share a house with him and work together.

Before long I was pregnant with my fourth child from another man! After I gave birth he assured me he could not look after other men's kids and just like the others, he took a walk.

Like a mother I am struggling with my children. I now make a living from selling fish to supplement what I earn from farming people's gardens. I loathe men and I am tired of loving them because they are such a disappointment!