Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has weighed in on a disturbing domestic violence case involving prominent educationist Prof. Badru Ddungu Kateregga, who alleges that his wife, Jolly Shubaiha Kateregga, violently assaulted him and left him for dead.
The 77-year-old founder and proprietor of Kampala University has accused his wife—who is also the mother of his twins—of attempting to kill him during a violent altercation at their mansion in Buziga. Prof. Kateregga claims he suffered severe head injuries after being struck with a blunt object, resulting in a coma and an extended stay in intensive care.
The professor, visibly emotional during a recent Eid gathering, publicly revealed details of the abuse he says he endured in what he called a “torture chamber” that was once his home. According to Kateregga, what began as marital disagreements quickly escalated into physical violence and emotional isolation. He says he was locked inside his own house and cut off from the outside world.
“I never thought a woman I helped build up would one day turn on me like this,” Kateregga told family and friends during a weekend thanksgiving event. “If not for my children Badria and Fakia, I wouldn’t be alive.”
In his public response on X (formerly Twitter), Gen. Muhoozi called on police to investigate the matter thoroughly and without bias. “We have allowed certain things to go too far. Men can also be victims of domestic violence. Gender-Based Violence laws must apply to all—no matter who the victim is,” he posted.
Domestic violence in Uganda has historically been viewed through the lens of female victimhood. However, this high-profile case has challenged that narrative. Prof. Kateregga alleges that his wife’s motive was to seize control of his assets, including Kampala University, bank accounts, and his Buziga estate.
Kateregga, a father of 25 children, says the situation forced him to call on his older children living abroad to intervene. His mansion, he says, became a prison under his wife’s control, and he has since vacated it for his safety.
His daughters, Badria and Fakia, confirmed their father’s claims and vowed to protect his legacy and well-being. “Our father almost died. We thank God we arrived in time,” said Badria during the same thanksgiving event.
Kateregga expressed regret over the marriage, describing his wife as someone who came into his life with little and now seeks to strip him of everything he’s built.
The professor insists that Kampala University remains his sole creation and warned against any attempts to sideline him or his children from its future. “Anyone who tries will face fierce resistance,” he declared.
Kateregga says he has since briefed the Buganda Kingdom leadership, including Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, about the ordeal and his intent to fight back legally.
As of now, police have not issued an official statement regarding the alleged assault. However, with pressure mounting from Uganda’s top military official, action appears inevitable.
