By Our Reporter
In a deeply personal and soul-searching letter addressed to Uganda’s religious, cultural, and political leaders, as well as to friends and well-wishers, Dr. Hajjat Kulthum Nabunya Muzaata—widow of the late Sheikh Nooh Muzaata—has announced the end of her marriage to businessman Acram Gumisiriza, just two years after their widely publicized wedding.
The announcement comes amid what she described as “months—perhaps years—of emotional distance and unspoken pain.” In her statement released Monday, Dr. Nabunya opened up about her journey since the death of Sheikh Muzaata in December 2020, and her decision to remarry in 2022 in search of companionship and comfort during a difficult chapter of her life.
“I met Mr. Acram Gumisiriza in 2021… I needed a companion and that’s how I ended up marrying Mr. Gumisiriza,” she wrote. “However, things didn’t move the way I expected. I started seeing red flags from the very start.”
Despite repeated efforts to reconcile and mend the cracks in their relationship, Dr. Nabunya revealed that the emotional gap between them only widened. She confessed to feeling “unseen, unheard, and unsupported”—a sentiment she suspects her now-former partner may have shared. Their once-promising union, she said, had become something held together more by habit and fear than genuine connection.
“This is one of the hardest letters I’ve ever had to write,” she admitted. “But I believe it’s time to speak from the bottom of my heart and put into words what I’ve been carrying inside for a long while.”
Rejecting blame or bitterness, Dr. Nabunya emphasized that her decision to end the marriage was grounded in honesty, reflection, prayer, and a deep desire to preserve mutual dignity. “This is not about blame. It’s about acknowledging that we are no longer good for each other in the way that a partnership should be.”
She further appealed for a respectful and cooperative divorce process, announcing that Sheikh Abdul Rahaman Serunjoji—alongside her family—will oversee the formal proceedings. “I hope we can part ways with grace, preserving the dignity of what we had,” she added.
Throughout the letter, Dr. Nabunya remained firmly anchored in her faith and spiritual values, framing the end of her marriage not as a failure but as a solemn, guided step toward peace and healing. “While this may not be the outcome we envisioned, I believe that even in endings, Allah offers guidance, mercy, and the opportunity for healing.”
The news has generated an outpouring of reactions across social media, where many Ugandans have expressed sympathy, admiration, and support for Dr. Nabunya. Her courage in publicly addressing such a private matter has drawn praise, particularly given her prominent public role as a widow, mother, academic, and faith leader navigating life in the national spotlight.
Her decision, made with clarity and compassion, marks another chapter in a life already shaped by resilience. As she steps forward into a new phase, many will be watching—and wishing her peace.
READ FULL LETTER BELOW;
Assalamu Alaikum Waramatul lahi Wabarkatuh
Greetings to All my Muslim Brothers and Sisters, All religious leaders, Cultural Leaders, fellow Ugandans, friends and family, Business Community, Political leaders Ladies and Gentlemen.
This is one of the hardest letters I’ve ever had to write, but I believe it’s time to speak from the bottom of my heart and put into words what I’ve been carrying inside for a long while.
I met Mr. Acram Gumisiriza in 2021, and we got married officially and legally in 2022 since I was single and I had lost my dear husband “the Late Sheik Muzaata Nooh Batte”, so I needed a companion and that’s how I ended up marrying Mr. Gumisiriza, however things didn’t move the way I expected, I started seeing red flags from the very start.
After much reflection, deep soul-searching, and countless attempts to mend what’s been broken between us, I have come to the difficult decision to end our marriage. This is not something I do lightly, and it is not an impulsive act. It is the result of months—perhaps years—of feeling the distance between us grow despite every effort to bridge it.
We both know our relationship has changed. The love we once shared, the connection we used to nurture, now feels like something we’re only trying to hold together out of habit, history, or fear. I no longer feel seen, heard, or supported in the ways that matter most. And I imagine, if you’re honest with yourself, you’ve felt the same too.
This is not about blame. It’s about acknowledging that we are no longer good for each other in the way that a partnership should be. And while it breaks my heart to say goodbye to the life we once imagined together, I know that holding on any longer would only deepen the pain for both of us.
I want this process to be as respectful and cooperative as possible. I hope we can part ways with grace, preserving the dignity of what we had. If there are legal matters or shared responsibilities we need to work through, I am committed to handling them with fairness and maturity.
Please understand, this letter is not meant to hurt you—it’s meant to finally be honest with both of us. I wish you peace, healing, and happiness in whatever your future holds. And I hope, in time, we can both look back without resentment, knowing we had our reasons, our lessons, and our time.
As we navigate this divorce, I want to acknowledge the spiritual and religious weight this decision carries. Marriage was not only a personal commitment but also a sacred one, and ending it is not something I take lightly. I have prayed, reflected, and sought peace in my heart before coming to this conclusion. While this may not be the outcome we envisioned, I believe that even in endings, Allah offers guidance, mercy, and the opportunity for healing. I hope we can move forward with grace, forgiveness, and a shared respect for the spiritual foundation that brought us together in the first place.
I truly hope that in time, we can both find peace and happiness on our own separate paths. Though this chapter “Marriage” has ended, I will always value the moments we shared and the lessons we’ve learned. I wish you well in everything ahead.
I regret to inform all those that have wished our marriage well that the road has ended and with immediate effect, and regarding our divorce, Sheikh Abdul Rahaman Serunjoji and my family will handle the whole divorce process.
Thanks, and Regards
Dr. Hajjat Kulthum Nabunya Muzaata
Cc: Muslim Community
Cc: All Religious Leaders
Cc: All Cultural Leaders
Cc: All Political Leaders
Cc: All Ugandans
Cc: All Ugandans in Diaspora
Cc: Ugandan Business Community
Cc: Education Fraternity