The High Court in Jinja has officially ended the 14-year marriage between Kawongolo Kataswa and Claudine Uwineza after a startling revelation that the union was never built on love, but on a desperate need for survival.
Justice Lawrence Gidudu delivered the ruling on July 14, 2025, following a divorce petition filed by Kawongolo in 2022. The couple, who wed on May 14, 2011, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Jinja, had three children together—Jeremiah (13), Nehemiah (11), and Shelemiah (9).
According to court records, the marriage began to crumble in December 2018 when Uwineza abruptly left the matrimonial home. During the hearing, she openly admitted to both desertion and infidelity, even confessing that she had never loved Kawongolo. She told the court that her decision to marry him was purely driven by a lack of shelter and basic needs.
Uwineza also disclosed that she had a child with another man while still legally married to Kawongolo—further solidifying the grounds for divorce.
In his ruling, Justice Gidudu found no evidence of collusion or forgiveness from the petitioner, and thus granted a decree nisi, officially dissolving the marriage. Full custody of the children was awarded to Kawongolo, while Uwineza was given visitation rights—on the condition that she is not cohabiting with another man during those visits.
The judge declined to grant spousal maintenance, pointing out that Kawongolo had willingly committed to supporting the children. He also chose not to award legal costs, stating that divorce cases involving families should not result in financial burdens.
Uwineza, in her defence, said she now survives by selling vegetables and charcoal, and lives alone. While her economic hardship was noted, it had no bearing on the final verdict.
Justice Gidudu concluded by stressing the importance of honesty and emotional commitment in marriage and reaffirmed the court’s responsibility to prioritise the welfare of children in divorce proceedings.
