KAMPALA — Former beauty queen and media personality Ellah Nantumbwe has returned to her pre-marriage residence following the breakdown of her marriage to businessman Saidi Bukenya, bringing fresh attention to a relationship that has dominated social media conversations in recent weeks.
Nantumbwe, a former Miss Uganda contestant and television personality, married Bukenya in a private traditional introduction ceremony in January 2025 before the couple reportedly formalized their union through a civil wedding later that year.
However, by early 2026, reports emerged that the marriage had hit turbulent waters, culminating in the couple’s separation.
The latest twist in the saga came after videos surfaced online showing Nantumbwe back at her spacious mansion, a residence she is said to have owned before entering the marriage. The clips quickly attracted attention from social media users, many of whom contrasted the property with the modest apartment that became the centre of recent controversy.
The dispute escalated when anti-corruption czar Col. Edith Nakalema, who is related to Bukenya, publicly accused Nantumbwe and her mother of removing household items from the couple’s rented Kampala home following the separation. Nakalema reportedly urged the former beauty queen to seek reconciliation and repentance.
Nantumbwe, however, pushed back against the allegations. In a video shared online, she gave viewers a tour of the apartment and maintained that she had left behind all household property except her personal vehicle, a Lexus SUV. She further suggested that promises of relocating to a larger home had never materialized during the marriage.
The footage sparked widespread reactions, with many Ugandans expressing surprise at the simplicity of the apartment, especially given the glamour that surrounded the couple’s wedding celebrations. Others defended the arrangement, arguing that many couples begin married life modestly regardless of their public image.
Meanwhile, the newly surfaced videos of Nantumbwe at her mansion have shifted the conversation from the apartment dispute to discussions about personal independence, financial security and relationship choices.
Social media users have pointed to the residence as evidence that Nantumbwe had established herself before marriage, while others have questioned why she left her own home to move into a smaller rented apartment after tying the knot.
Despite the ongoing public interest, Nantumbwe has largely maintained a low profile online, avoiding direct engagement with many of the debates surrounding her separation.
As public speculation continues, neither Nantumbwe nor Bukenya has issued a comprehensive statement detailing the circumstances that led to the collapse of their marriage. What remains clear is that a relationship that once captured public admiration has now become one of Uganda’s most talked-about celebrity breakups, with every new development attracting intense scrutiny from online audiences.
