I sought my wives' permission to remarry — Lukwago

Hajji Saddam Lukwago, a herbalist, is married to three women. He told SAMUEL LUTWAMA how he has managed keep all of them happy

Although his Islamic faith gives him the liberty to marry more than one wife, Saddam Lukwago says he married three out of responsibility.

He met his first wife, Kruthum Mirembe, in 1999, when he was 22 years old and she was 18. However, it took them five years to became husband and wife.

“When I met Mirembe, she was in her Senior Four vacation. She was young and beautiful. In 2004, we became husband and wife. My business and social life took a dramatic turn when we moved in together,” recalls Saddam, who is fondly referred to as “Doctor” by all his wives.

As Lukwago’s business flourished, so did his social status. More money led to more temptation. “Several women tried to entice me into sleeping with them, but I knew the dangers of engaging in such relationships. I sat down with my first wife and we discussed the prospect of me getting another wife. At first, she was hesitant, but later, after thinking about it, she gave me a green light and that is how Shifah Nalwoga came into my life,” he explains.

ANOTHER WIFE

Two years after getting Nalwoga, Lukwago wanted to expand his business into Tanzania. As fate would have it, his first wife was breastfeeding and the second was pregnant. That is when he brought up the subject of getting a third wife, who would care for him while in Tanzania, where he spent two years.

“When I told them about my plans, my first wife gave me two conditions; to upgrade her house and also officially marry her,” Lukwago recalls.

Money answers it all, they say. Within three weeks, Mirembe had a nice home and the wedding was done. According to Lukwago, his second wife had no qualms about him getting a third wife.

FOURTH WIFE PROJECT

However, getting a third wife, Shalfa Namukasa, did not stop Lukwago from ‘looking around’. Shortly after, he rekindled the feelings he once had for his “first love”, Sarah Kabanda, who lived in Europe. They had been lovers in high school, but lost touch.

When he discussed this with his three wives, they all disapproved of his new love, but he ignored them.

But as fate would have it, his romance with Kabanda ended bitterly.

“I had two children with Kabanda. Although we separated, I still provide for them,” he said.

KRUTHUM MIREMBE

According to Lukwago, Mirembe, a mother of four, is so reserved and well-cultured. But most importantly, she has motherly instincts. “Before I met her, I fathered two children, but she took them on like her own.

Interestingly, all my children are close to her,” he says.

Besides having a motherly heart, Mirembe, according to Lukwago, remains the unifying factor in his family.

However, Lukwago says, Mirembe cannot be pushed to do something against her will.

“Sometimes she takes her time when you ask her to do something. Initially, I used to interpret this as a sign of disrespect, until I discovered that it’s her nature,” he says.

SHIFAH NALWOGA

Shifah is the most submissive of all Lukwago’s wives.

“She would do everything without questioning me. Whenever I have problems, I prefer to discuss them with her because she knows how to calm me down.”

However, Lukwago says Shifah’s greatest failing is hanging out with the wrong people, who sometimes mislead her. Shifah is also fond of leaving home without disclosing her whereabouts. “I know there are no ill motives behind that, but she simply chooses to be adamant,” he says.

SHALFA NAMUKASA

Namukasa is an enterprising woman.

“She is the one behind the success of most of my businesses. Some of my businesses were not doing well, but she used her expertise to change the course of events. She gave a new face to my clinic. Namukasa is the bursar of our family school, Saddam Rashid Islamic Day and Boarding School in Nakawuka, Wakiso district.

However, Lukwago says, she also has her share of weaknesses. “She is very jealous, which sometimes causes us problems. However much I try to reassure her about my love for her, she continues to spy on me. But these days she has given up some of those habits, maybe she has come of age,” Lukwago says.

 THE DEVIL IN ME: SADDAM LUKWAGO

Lukwago says he is short-tempered and when he loses his temper, he can do regrettable things.

“I try to control my temper. When I get angry with any of my wives, I try to avoid her until I cool down. Secondly, when I decide to do something, I want it done quickly, yet some of my wives take their time. This has sometimes brought us misunderstandings and I consider it a weakness on my part.

FAMILY COURT

“We have a family court, where wrongs are tried and punished. If I do anything wrong to any of them, she will inform the others and summon me before the court.

If it is proved that I am in the wrong, I have to apologise to them. The same applies to my wives.

HAPPY FAMILY

Lukwago says his wives are friends and see each other as sisters. “Interestingly, my three wives love each other. They counsel each other in case they have issues. Sometimes they jointly make decisions pertaining the family.”