The proprietor of Badru Ddungu Kateregga Universities Network International (BDKUNI) , which manages Kampala University ,Prof Badru Kateregga is back in he news this time accusing his estranged wife of stealing a land title for The East African University campus in Kitengela, Nairobi ,Kenya.
Appearing on NTV Uganda’s Mwasuze Mutya programme on Monday , Prof. Kateregga insisted the property belongs to Kateregga family and dismissed those he referred to as “outsiders” attempting to claim ownership.
“This property belongs to the Kateregga family, although some people claim to be among the founders. I strategically brought my children on board to carry forward the legacy I’ve built. We have over 10 university branches across the region,” he said.
In response, Ms Jolly Shuhaibah Kateregga ,issued a detailed press statement dismissing the accusations that she intended to grab any property belonging to his husband .
She insisted she has always demanded fair treatment as a stakeholder who contributed significantly to building the husband’s educational empire.
“The reports about the alleged disappearance of the land title for the East African University in Kitengela, Kenya, and claims of summons from Interpol NCB Kenya and Uganda are untrue. The property in question was jointly developed by Prof Kateregga and me during our marriage. I served as a founding board member and vice chairperson of the university,” she said.
Ms Kateregga also clarified that the original land title and other relevant documents were left at their posho Buziga home in Kampala by Prof Kateregga himself.
“I have always acted in good faith. There is no theft, concealment, or malicious intent regarding the title,” she said.
The couple, who married in 2012, began experiencing tensions around September last year amid allegations of fraud, infidelity, and betrayal. The dispute escalated when Ms Kateregga was accused of plotting to harm her husband in a bid to take over his vast assets within Uganda ,Kenya and Rwanda where the wife hails from .
“This head you see wasn’t always like this,” Prof Kateregga claimed during the TV interview. “Because of the beatings, I now move around with doctors and helpers to support me,” he added. The row has reached new lows, including a paternity test conducted for their three children.
According to Prof Kateregga, results confirmed that one of the children is not biologically his. “It was painful, but the truth had to come out. I spent over $300,000 on hospital bills, yet the child was fathered by someone else in America. Each term, the children attend an international school, and I pay $20,000,” he said. Ms Kateregga, who is reportedly contesting the paternity results, condemned the public airing of their private matters and what she called deliberate attempts to discredit her.
“It is deeply unfortunate that personal issues are now being manipulated and escalated into criminal accusations. Prof Kateregga has a history of making false claims to influence public opinion, including alleging threats to his life,” she said.
Ready for law suits
“I remain at our home in Buziga with the children and I am ready to respond to any lawful inquiry through proper legal channels. I have never refused to cooperate, and my legal team is prepared to handle this matter transparently and in accordance with the law.”
She urged for decency from the public and called on Prof Kateregga to pursue proper dialogue and follow due process rather than resorting to media accusations and legal ambushes.
“This matter is, at its core, a domestic dispute. It should not be weaponised to diminish decades of mutual contributions to educational advancement in East Africa,” she said.