KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan has confirmed the end of her marriage to Shakib Cham Lutaaya, bringing their five-year relationship to a close, citing irreconcilable differences.
The announcement was made through a joint statement shared on Zari’s Instagram story, in which the couple said the decision followed “much thought and reflection.”
“5 years later after much thought and reflection, we believe it is best for us to part ways due to irreconcilable differences,” the statement read.
The pair emphasized that the separation was mutual and amicable, adding that there was no animosity between them.
“There is no anger or resentment, sometimes two people simply grow in different directions. We value each other and remain friends with mutual respect and understanding,” the statement added, signed by both Zarinah and Shakib.
The split marks the end of one of East Africa’s most closely followed celebrity relationships, which began drawing public attention in 2022 when the pair went public.
Zari and Shakib were first linked following her earlier separation from businessman GK Choppa, with their relationship quickly becoming a staple of entertainment headlines across the region.
In April 2023, the couple formalised their union through a private Islamic Nikah ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa. They later held a white wedding in October 2023, attended by close friends and family, with parts of their relationship featured on the Netflix reality series Young, Famous & African.
Despite their high-profile union, the marriage faced repeated public scrutiny, particularly over Zari’s ongoing co-parenting relationship with Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz, with whom she shares two children.
In 2024, tensions resurfaced after footage of Zari and Diamond together during filming of Young, Famous & African circulated online, prompting public debate and reported strain in her marriage. Zari later acknowledged that the incident had contributed to friction between the couple.
The relationship was also repeatedly the subject of breakup rumours over the years, which Zari often dismissed, insisting that social media speculation did not reflect their private reality.
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Shakib Cham, an entrepreneur and reality television personality, gained prominence in Uganda’s entertainment scene through business ventures, celebrity boxing appearances, and his role on Young, Famous & African.
Zari, widely known as “The Boss Lady,” remains one of the region’s most influential socialites, having previously been married to the late businessman Ivan Semwanga and later involved in a long-term relationship with Diamond Platnumz, which ended in 2018.
In their latest statement, the pair did not provide further details on the circumstances leading to their separation but indicated they intend to remain on good terms and continue supporting each other moving forward.
