Written By | Henry Chemba
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As Told To Torch Media Africa
When I fell ill in Dubai, I consulted several doctors and visited multiple hospitals in search of the root cause of my worsening health condition. These included Burjeel Hospital, NMC Hospital, Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, HMS Al Garhoud Hospital, and Aster Hospitals. During this period, I spent over UGX 20 million. It was a painful and exhausting experience.
Eventually, doctors diagnosed the problem and informed me that I needed approximately UGX 90 million (over USD 30,000) for heart surgery in Dubai. The news was shocking. After months of frequent hospital visits and medical investigations, I had already exhausted my finances.
One Indian cardiologist at Garhoud Hospital advised me to consider treatment in India, where the same procedure could cost significantly less and be performed by even more experienced specialists. He connected me to a doctor at Fortis Hospital in Delhi, who had over 40 years of experience. I felt some relief, and preparations to return home began within two weeks.
Return Home and Unexpected Struggles
Before traveling, I had informed my parents about my return a week in advance. However, I only informed my wife on the day of my departure from Dubai International Airport. During my illness, she had caused me considerable stress through constant quarrels and demands for money, despite my condition.
I asked her to pick me up from Entebbe International Airport. I arrived at around noon, in a wheelchair provided by Emirates Airways, but waited for nearly six hours before she arrived at 6:00 PM. I was exhausted, frustrated, and deeply disappointed.
She came with my daughter, whom I had not seen for over three years. Seeing my child brought me joy, though it was mixed with emotional pain.
On our way, my wife insisted that I go directly to my parents’ home instead of my own house. I objected, explaining that I needed to rest at my home first before visiting my parents. She refused, and after a prolonged argument—during which she was accompanied by another woman—we eventually agreed to go to my parents’ home temporarily.
Suspicion and Confusion
Upon arrival, my wife told my mother that I would stay there for two weeks while she prepared to take me home afterward. My mother was shocked and questioned why I should remain there when I had my own home. She insisted I should rest at my house after prayers and some traditional care.
My wife became increasingly anxious, making several phone calls and appearing restless. My mother quietly expressed concern, questioning her behavior and reluctance to take me home. I initially dismissed it, but my mother remained uneasy.
After a meal, my parents decided it was best for me to go home immediately. We set off, but after about 25 minutes, my wife claimed she had left her shop open at MM Plaza and needed to urgently close it. She also mentioned a family emergency involving her mother.
She suggested we divert to Zana and check me into a hotel temporarily while she handled these issues. I objected, proposing that she simply drop me at my home in Kitebi, which was nearby. However, she insisted that the hotel was the quickest solution, supported strongly by her companion.
Abandonment
Eventually, I gave in. She checked me into a hotel, paid for the room, and arranged everything. However, she took my three bags, claiming she would deliver them home. She left with my daughter and her friend, promising to return shortly. I waited. I fell asleep, expecting her back soon.
When I woke up at 2:00 AM, she had not returned. There was no call, and her phone was switched off. I grew increasingly worried, especially since my medication was in one of the bags.
The next morning, I informed my mother, who was shocked that I had agreed to such an arrangement. She tried calling my wife, but her phone remained off. My father was immediately sent to pick me up.
When he arrived at the hotel, he was furious. He took me home, where I began to recover physically—but the emotional toll was immense.
Disturbing Discoveries
After three days, I attempted to reach my wife through my brother-in-law, but he claimed he was unaware of her whereabouts. Later that night, she answered my call. She began apologizing and offering explanations, but I was no longer interested.
I simply asked her to return my bags and medication.
She later sent only one bag. When I inquired about the others, she claimed she had distributed most of the items to her relatives. At that point, I cut off all communication.
My parents warned me to be cautious, expressing concern that her actions posed a serious threat. Later, I discovered that she had been involved with another man.
A Child’s Revelation
After a month, she sent my daughter to visit me. What my daughter revealed was deeply disturbing.
Children observe everything. They may remain silent, but they do not forget. Her account exposed shocking truths about what had been happening behind the scenes.
Why I did not go to my house by myself.
Just to clarify, I had spent three years away from home, so I could not just show up at the rented house like that.
I had been paying rent for more than three years, but I had never actually been there and did not know its exact location. I only knew that the house was in Kitebi, based on what she had told me earlier. I used to pay rent in advance for several months at a time. However, what I later discovered was shocking—both of us were paying rent for the same house: her other man and I. My own house was still under construction.
To Be Continued
I will share the details of what my daughter revealed in the next part of this story.
Trust, as I have learned, must be given with caution.
