KAMPALA – In a dramatic 24 hours that intertwined personal life and political strife, Shiko Mutoni, the wife of musician-turned-politician Nubian Li, has publicly dismissed widespread online rumors of a marital breakup, attributing them to a malicious hack of her Facebook account. Her clarifications came just hours before her husband was arrested by police following his nomination for mayor.
🔐 Account Hacked, Marriage Intact
The rumors of a split began circulating after posts appeared on Mutoni’s Facebook page alleging marital troubles and declaring her single. One post stated, “FROM TODAY I’M SINGLE. THIS MARKS THE END OF MY RELATIONSHIP,” while another criticized the influence of friends in a marriage .
However, Mutoni has vehemently denied authoring these posts. In a public address, she reassured fans and the public that her marriage to the singer is secure. “I have no issue whatsoever with my husband. We are enjoying our marriage,” she stated . She clarified that her Facebook account was hacked by unknown individuals and that she is no longer in control of it. “It was my account, but it is no longer in my control. I am yet to know who did that,” Mutoni explained .
Nubian Li, whose real name is Ali Buken, corroborated his wife’s account, revealing that the breakup news shocked them both as they were together at their marital home when the rumors spread online .
⚖️ Arrest and Release After Nomination
Adding a layer of high drama to the personal saga, Nubian Li was arrested by heavily armed police officers on Tuesday moments after he was officially nominated as the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate for mayor of Nakawa Division .
The arrest occurred outside the Electoral Commission offices in Ntinda. Witnesses reported that Nubian Li appeared calm and was escorted into a police vehicle without resistance . He was driven to an undisclosed location, with authorities initially providing no reason for his detention.
Later that night, Nubian Li was released. He described the experience, saying security operatives drove him “around in circles” before eventually dropping him off at his home. “They claimed I was planning to hold a procession. Crazy!” he wrote in a statement thanking supporters for their concern .
🏛️ Political Context and Reactions
The arrest is seen as part of a broader pattern of detentions targeting opposition figures. The NUP party has reported a series of arrests of its members, including Alex Mufumbiro and Sauda Madaada, allegedly for questioning over a military drill-like parade held months ago at the party’s headquarters .
The Ugandan government has defended the arrests, with a military spokesperson stating that the state “arrests, it does not abduct,” and that those involved in alleged illegal activities would be brought before court .
The personal and political events concerning Nubian Li have become intensely intertwined. Some observers had speculated that the hacked Facebook posts, which also promoted Nubian Li’s political rival, Nakawa’s sitting Mayor Paul Mugambe, might be linked to these underlying political tensions .
💬 Official Clarification and Public Response
Following the ordeal, Mutoni issued an official clarification on the matter. She urged the public to ignore the misleading posts from her compromised account and confirmed she is “happily together with Nubian Li” .
The couple’s supporters have expressed relief at the clarification, with many echoing Mutoni’s sentiment that “Love wins, rumors fade!” . The incident highlights the vulnerability of public figures to online misinformation and the rapid speed at which personal rumors can spread, especially when amplified by political circumstances.
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