Canary Mugume: I’m tired of Domestic violence from my Wife

What exactly did Canary Mugume reveal today?

In a raw and emotional thread posted on X Thursday, prominent Ugandan investigative journalist Canary Mugume publicly declared himself a victim of domestic violence at the hands of his wife, TV personality Sasha Ferguson.

He described enduring repeated physical assaults due to what he called her “uncontrolled anger issues,” and stated that he possesses evidence, including photos of himself bleeding from one attack. Mugume stressed that he never retaliated despite provocation, adding, “I am part of the unreported statistics of men who experience domestic violence from partners.” He said the post has already attracted massive attention within hours.

There’s been an attempt to label me an abuser and an irresponsible father. On being accused of being an abuser: I normally choose silence, but there are narratives that must be corrected. So allow me say this; I am part of the unreported statistics of men who experience domestic violence from partners with uncontrolled anger issues. But because ‘we are men in a corporate world,’ we stay silent, show up every day.

I restrained myself immensely despite all provocations and assaults. But society will, of course, believe the female gender. I have evidence of myself bleeding after being assaulted. All my closest friends, family know this. On being accused of being an irresponsible father: Despite having only seen my children ONCE in the last ten months, I have never stopped sending money monthly, a figure that wasn’t decided by me, but by my accuser. There is evidence of this: messages saying “thank you” and receipts of the transactions. I have gone to court, fought, and been granted custody of my children, custody that authorities deliberately failed to enforce (that is a story for another day).

Custody was granted on grounds of desertion: the mother had deserted them in a locked apartment with a maid while she was traveling overseas. Since January, I have been denied access to my children, despite numerous requests to seem and third parties intervening. To men: speak up against violence from your wives when you still have the chance. I suffered in silence for too long. It didn’t help. This is the last time I am addressing this issue, please give me space to heal.

• CANARY MUGUME

Why has he been separated from his children?

Mugume claims a family court granted him full custody of their two children (a daughter born in 2021 and a son born in November 2024) on grounds of “desertion” after Ferguson allegedly left the children locked in an apartment with a maid while she travelled abroad. Despite the court order, he says the ruling has not been enforced, and he has only seen his children once in the past ten months. He continues to send substantial monthly child support, an amount he says was unilaterally set by Ferguson herself.

Is this the first time trouble in the marriage has gone public?

No. Break-up rumours first exploded in May 2024 when fans noticed the couple had unfollowed each other on Instagram. Tabloids and social media were filled with speculation about infidelity and irreconcilable differences. The pair temporarily silenced the gossip with a loving family photo on Mother’s Day 2024, which Mugume used to declare the rumours dead. However, in recent weeks Sasha Ferguson has openly spoken of leaving an “abusive marriage,” citing domestic violence and lack of support, statements that directly contradict today’s allegations from her husband.

How has the public reaction been?

The reaction is sharply divided. Many male followers and men’s-rights advocates have hailed Mugume for his courage and for challenging the stereotype that only women suffer domestic violence. Others, particularly those who followed Ferguson’s earlier disclosures, have accused him of victim-blaming and using his platform to deflect from her claims. Comments range from “Finally a man speaks up” to “This is classic abuser behaviour—turning the narrative when exposed.”

Will Sasha Ferguson respond, and what happens next?

Ferguson has not yet commented on today’s thread. Sources close to her say she will address the new allegations “in due course.” Legal observers expect the custody dispute to intensify, as enforcement of family-court orders in Uganda is often inconsistent, especially in high-profile cases. Mugume has declared this his final public statement on the matter, writing, “This is the last time I am addressing this issue. Please give me space to heal.”

As this once-celebrated media couple’s private pain continues to unfold in public, their story is forcing Uganda to confront an uncomfortable truth: domestic violence and bitter separations cut across gender, fame, and public image, and the real victims are often the children caught in the middle.