Leaders step in after woman houses two men in one-bedroom home

Residents of Makota Village in Kagoma Town Council, Jinja District, were left stunned after local leaders stepped into a domestic dispute where a woman had been living with two men in the same house and bed.

The case involved 46-year-old Judith Babirye, who spent 10 months living with Steven Orwenyi after believing her former partner, Isaac Omoding, had died. That changed on May 3, 2026 when Omoding returned and moved back into Babirye’s one-bedroom house.

Rather than hide the situation, Babirye told both men and suggested they live together peacefully.

“When Omoding returned, I could not deny him access to the house. I informed Orwenyi about the situation and decided that we should coexist peacefully,” she said.

The arrangement did not last. Babirye said tensions rose after Orwenyi became uncomfortable sharing the house. She also accused him of stealing household items and insulting her. Unable to manage the conflict, she reported the matter to local leaders and asked Orwenyi to leave.

LC1 Chairperson of Kagoma-Makota Village, George Batema, said he was shocked when he first heard the case.

“I was surprised to hear such a case in my village. We had to intervene immediately to avoid escalation,” Batema said. Village council members investigated and organised a mediation meeting.

At the meeting, Orwenyi said he deserved compensation for the support he had given during the relationship.

“I worked as a security guard at the weighbridge earning Shs150,000 every month, and I used to give the money to her. I also built a pit latrine for her and supported the family,” Orwenyi explained. He added that after losing his job, Babirye was using local leaders to force him out. “I feel I deserve compensation because I invested my money and time in this relationship,” he said.

Orwenyi asked for at least Shs130,000 to cover compensation and transport back to his home district of Ngora. Babirye said she could not raise the money immediately, so leaders and residents held a small fundraiser.

According to Batema, community members contributed Shs32,500 for Orwenyi’s transport, while Babirye agreed to pay the remaining Shs100,000 within two months.

After the agreement, Orwenyi accepted to leave and congratulated Omoding for staying with Babirye.

“I have accepted the decision and I leave in peace,” he said before departing.

Omoding thanked Orwenyi for resolving the matter peacefully and pledged to take care of Babirye and her seven children. “I appreciate how this was handled. I will take responsibility for the family,” Omoding said.

Following the incident, Batema warned residents against multiple relationships, saying they often lead to domestic violence, conflict, and insecurity in communities.