KAMPALA, UGANDA: Pastor Aloysius Bugingo and his new wife Susan Makula have been charged with three counts for allegedly contracting marriage by customary law when already married, the DailyExpress understands.
The Entebbe Magistrate Grade One Stella Okwong Paculal in charge sheet said the act by the two is contrary to Section 50 of the Marriage Act, Cap 251; Marriage with a person previously married which is contrary to Section 42 of the Marriage Act, Cap 251; and Bigamy which is contrary to Section 153 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 120.
Bugingo who is the House of Prayer Ministries lead pastor allegedly married Makula under customary law on December 7 in Kawuku, Katabi town council in Wakiso district well knowing that the former’s previous marriage was never dissolved.
“Pastor Aloysius Bujjingo, on December 7th, at Kawuku, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, while having contracted marriage under the Marriage Act with Teddy Naluswa Bujjingo and during the continuance of that marriage, contracted a marriage in accordance with customary law with Susan Makula Nantaba,” reads the charge sheet in part.
The Court has therefore issued criminal summons against Bujjingo and Makula to come and give explain their customary marriage.
The summons signed by the Entebbe Chief Magistrate requires them to appear before the court on January 21, 2022 to take a plea on the said allegations.
This is after the magistrate was satisfied that the customary marriage ceremony that took place was confirmed by the Bwerenga LC1 chairperson.
The case which was filed by City lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi contends that on December 20th of 2003, Bujjingo married Teddy, through a church marriage at Victory Christian Center Ndeeba, after which marriage was solemnized and it still subsists.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) represented by Ddamba Makula said they will not take over the case.
Article 120 of the 1995 Uganda Constitution provides powers to the DPP to take over proceedings initiated by individuals or other authorities at any stage.
However, Damba said the private prosecutors can proceed to make their case because Janat Kitimbo, the Chief State Attorney for Entebbe says the DPP is not taking over both cases.
Bujjingo and Makula were represented by Lawyer, Ruhinda Ronald.
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