KAMPALA, Uganda — Popular Ugandan businesswoman, socialite, and reality television star Zarinah Hassan, widely known as Zari the Boss Lady, has announced the end of her marriage to her partner, Shakib Cham Lutaaya, after five years together.
The former couple confirmed their amicable split in a joint statement shared via Zari’s official Instagram account. According to the publication, the decision to part ways was mutual, reached after an extended period of deep reflection on their journey as a couple.
”Five years later after much thought and reflection, we believe it is best for us to part ways due to irreconcilable differences,” the joint statement read. “While this wasn’t an easy decision, we feel it is the right one for both of us. We appreciate the time we shared, the memories we created, and the support we gave each other.”
The statement further clarified that the separation is devoid of animosity, attributing the split to individual evolution.
”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. We sincerely wish each other happiness, success, and all the best for the future.”
A High-Profile Romance
The timeline of their relationship dates back to May 2022, when they first made their romance public following Zari’s split from businessman GK Choppa. Despite public discourse surrounding their 12-year age gap, Zari previously revealed that she had visited Shakib’s family early in their courtship, and his parents fully blessed their union.
The couple subsequently formalized their relationship in a private Islamic Nikah ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa, in April 2023. Later that year, in October, they hosted a lavish white wedding. The grand ceremony was prominently featured on the Netflix hit reality series Young, Famous & African, where both appeared as cast members. The former couple do not share any children together.
Rumors and Friction
While the statement paints a picture of a peaceful dissolution, the high-profile marriage has faced significant public scrutiny and internal friction over the past year.
A substantial portion of the tension stemmed from Zari’s continued co-parenting relationship with her former partner, Tanzanian music icon Diamond Platnumz, with whom she shares two children, Princess Tiffah and Prince Nillan. In 2024, the couple experienced a highly publicized rough patch when Shakib reportedly objected to an unannounced visit by Diamond Platnumz to Zari’s mansion in South Africa.
The incident led to an emotional public livestream by Zari at the time, where she defended her obligation to let the singer visit his children while expressing frustration over constantly having to prove her loyalty to Shakib. Following a brief period of separation after that incident, the couple had seemingly reconciled and repeatedly dismissed recurring breakup rumors in the media before making yesterday’s final announcement.
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Moving Forward
Following the announcement, Shakib has yet to address the separation directly on his personal social media channels. Instead, the entrepreneur and boxer appeared focused on his professional endeavors, sharing promotional material for his upcoming Vurugu 2.0 celebrity boxing match scheduled for June 20 at the Sarit Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
Zari, who was previously married to the late Ugandan tycoon Ivan Semwanga before her high-profile relationship with Diamond Platnumz, indicated that she and Shakib intend to maintain a cordial friendship built on mutual respect as they begin their separate chapters.
