City lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi is seeking criminal summons against House of Prayer Ministries International (HPMI) pastor Aloysius Bujjingo and his second wife-to-be Suzan Makula Nantaba.
In a suit filed before Entebbe Chief Magistrate’s Court, Mabirizi argues that Bujjingo and Suzan Makula flouted provisions of the Marriage Act, Cap 251 when they conducted a marriage ceremony on December 07.
He said he was aware that on December 20, 2003, Bujjingo married Teddy Naluswa Bujjingo vide certificate No. 376 through a Church marriage at Victory Christian Centre, Ndeeba after which the marriage was solemnized and it still subsists.
“Instead of arresting the accused [Bujjingo and Makula], Uganda Police Force corruptly escorted and guarded the duo in performance of a customary marriage ceremony on 7th December 2021 at Kawuku, Katabi Town Council Contrary to the following provisions of The Marriage Act, Cap.251,” said Mabirizi.
He quoted section 42 of the act which states: “Any person who, being unmarried, goes through the ceremony of marriage with a person whom he or she knows to be married to another person, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.”
Mabirizi is also relying on section 50 of the Marriage act, which states: “Any person who, having contracted marriage under this Act or any modification or reenactment of this Act, during the continuance of that marriage contracts a marriage in accordance with customary law, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.”
Mabirizi went on to argue that “SUZAN MAKULA NANTABA who was at all times aware that ALOYSIUS BUJJINGO is married is liable under S. 42 the same way the man who voluntarily contracted a marriage is liable under Section 50.”
