Former Miss Uganda Stellah Nantumbwe, popularly known as Ellah, has come under public pressure to return property allegedly belonging to her estranged husband, businessman Saidi Bukenya, following the dramatic collapse of their marriage.
The allegations were made by Senior Presidential Advisor and Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, Col. Edith Nakalema, who claimed that the former beauty queen left the matrimonial home with Bukenya’s belongings after the relationship fell apart.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Nakalema alleged that Nantumbwe did not leave the marriage empty-handed and accused her of taking property that belonged to the businessman.
According to Nakalema, Bukenya had invested heavily in the relationship and had embraced Nantumbwe’s family, only for the union to reportedly end in bitterness and a dispute over property.
“God gave you fame and respect, but the devil wants to steal it away from you by forcing you to run away with the man’s assets,” Nakalema said.
The senior presidential advisor also alleged that Nantumbwe’s mother participated in the removal of the property and appealed to her to encourage her daughter to return the items.
Nakalema urged the former Miss Uganda to seek forgiveness and hand back anything that does not belong to her, arguing that peace could only be achieved through resolving the matter amicably.
The accusations come amid reports that Nantumbwe’s marriage to Bukenya has broken down just months after the couple reportedly tied the knot in a private ceremony that was kept largely away from the public eye.
Nantumbwe rose to national prominence in 2013 when she was crowned Miss Uganda after defeating contestants from across the country in a highly competitive pageant held in Kampala.
She also won the Miss Popularity award during the competition and went on to represent Uganda at the Miss World contest in Bali, Indonesia.
Her popularity grew further in 2014 when she represented Uganda in the reality television show Big Brother Africa, where the nickname “Ellah” became widely known across the continent.
She later built a successful career in television and film, starring in the Ugandan television drama “Second Chance” and becoming one of the country’s most recognizable media personalities.
Over the years, Nantumbwe has remained a prominent figure in Uganda’s entertainment and beauty industry, serving as a pageant coach, actress and media personality.
Her reign as Miss Uganda is often remembered for her confidence, eloquence and widespread public appeal, qualities that helped her stand out among her peers and maintain relevance long after handing over the crown.
The latest controversy now threatens to overshadow her public image, with social media users divided over Nakalema’s claims and many demanding answers from the former beauty queen.
By publication time, neither Nantumbwe nor Bukenya had publicly responded to the allegations.
The claims remain allegations, and no official investigation or court ruling regarding the disputed property had been made public.
