South African-based Ugandan socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan and her husband, Shakib Cham Lutaaya, have ended their marriage after five years together.
The couple announced the split in a statement shared on Zari’s Instagram story, saying they had agreed to go their separate ways because of irreconcilable differences.
“5 years later, after much thought and reflection, we believe we should part ways due to irreconcilable differences,” the statement read.
They said the decision was not easy, but they believed it was the right step for both of them.
“We appreciate the time we shared, the memories we created, and the support we gave each other,” the statement added.
Zari and Shakib said there was no anger between them and that they would remain friends.
“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,” they said.
Their relationship became public in 2022 and later grew into one of the most followed celebrity romances in Uganda and East Africa.
In April 2023, the couple held a private Islamic Nikah ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa. They later held a white wedding on October 3, 2023, attended by close friends and family.
The wedding and parts of their relationship later featured on Netflix’s Young, Famous & African, giving fans a closer look at their marriage.
Their union, however, faced constant public scrutiny. Some of the tension came from Zari’s relationship with Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz, her former partner and father of two of her children.
In 2024, Zari and Shakib were reported to have clashed after videos showed her spending time with Diamond during filming for Young, Famous & African. Zari later admitted the incident had affected her marriage.
The couple also faced repeated breakup rumours, which Zari denied several times before the latest announcement.
Before marrying Shakib, Zari was married to the late businessman Ivan Semwanga. She later had a high-profile relationship with Diamond before they separated in 2018.
Shakib became a familiar name in Uganda’s entertainment circles through his relationship with Zari, business interests, celebrity boxing and appearances on Young, Famous & African.
The couple did not give further details about what caused the split. Their statement ended with a message of goodwill.
“We sincerely wish each other happiness, success, and all the best for the future,” they said.
