UgandaToday: “Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende Publicly Disowns Husband Andrew Ssebunya Over Asset Seizure”
Kampala — The simmering rift between Kampala Woman Member of Parliament Shamim Malende and her husband Andrew Ssebunya has burst into the open, following a bitter fallout that has taken both political and personal dimensions.
In a strongly worded statement, Malende disowned her husband, accusing him of seizing her verified Facebook page with more than 250,000 followers, a backup account, and two motor vehicles — a Toyota Harrier (UBK 862E) and a Toyota Super Custom (UBD 850N).
Public Disownment and Accusations
Malende said Ssebunya’s actions amounted to intimidation and manipulation, warning the public not to deal with him on her behalf.
“My husband is no longer representing me either personally or professionally. Whoever associates with him does so at their own risk,” Malende declared.
She also revealed that she had been locked out of her own social media platforms at a time when she needed them to communicate with her constituents and the wider public.
Health Struggles Complicate Matters
The fallout comes on the heels of Malende’s prolonged health battles.
The Kampala Woman MP collapsed in November 2024 after a violent scuffle in Parliament, leading to emergency medical evacuations to Kenya for advanced treatment. She underwent surgery amid widespread speculation — with some suggesting she had been poisoned.
Her husband’s critics allege he exploited her fragile state to take control of her personal and professional assets. However, Ssebunya has promised to reveal his side of the story, hinting at what he calls “facts behind the poison claims” and making counter-allegations of infidelity and deception.
A Marriage Under Public Scrutiny
Malende, a senior lawyer and key figure in the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been one of the most visible female opposition leaders since her election in 2021.
Her marriage to Andrew Ssebunya had largely remained away from the public eye until the current fallout. The estrangement has now placed both figures at the center of a heated public debate, with supporters rallying behind Malende while critics demand that both parties handle the matter privately.
Unverified Allegations
While the estranged husband claims he “caught her cheating” and accuses her of faking sickness, no independent evidence has been provided to substantiate these explosive allegations.
For now, the only verifiable facts remain:
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Malende has lost control of her social media accounts.
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Her two vehicles are in her husband’s possession.
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She has formally cut ties with him, warning the public not to engage with him in her name.
What Next?
The controversy is expected to spill into legal and political arenas as Malende pushes to reclaim her assets. Observers suggest the case could become a litmus test for how public officials handle deeply personal disputes in the digital age, where social media platforms are essential tools of political communication.
For Malende, the estrangement comes at a delicate time when her health, political responsibilities, and personal life all appear to be under siege. Hashtags
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#ShamimMalende #KampalaPolitics #UgandaParliament #NUPUpdates #PoliticalDramaUG #UgandaTodayNews #WomenInPolitics #SocialMediaSeizure #UgandaBuzz #KampalaUpdates
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