Tukamuhebwa explained that sexual intercourse between two consenting adults aged 18 years and above does not constitute a criminal offence, even where one of the parties is legally married.
Mukono Police Clarify: Consensual Adultery Is Not a Criminal Offence Under Ugandan Law
Men attending a community sensitisation meeting in Mukono Municipality expressed surprise after a police officer told them that finding one’s wife engaging in consensual sexual intercourse with another man is not, by itself, a criminal offence under Ugandan law.
The Officer in Charge of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) at Mukono Police Station, Simon Tukamuhebwa, made the remarks on Friday while addressing headteachers, teachers and members of School Management Committees from communities benefiting from the World Bank-funded Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (GKMA-UDP) road construction projects.
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The sensitisation workshop was organised at Bishop’s Senior School Mukono by Mukono Municipality to equip education stakeholders with knowledge on preventing and responding to potential sexual exploitation, abuse and other gender-related risks that may arise from the influx of workers involved in the road construction projects.
Tukamuhebwa explained that sexual intercourse between two consenting adults aged 18 years and above does not constitute a criminal offence, even where one of the parties is legally married.
“Where two adults consent to a sexual relationship, the matter is not a criminal case under Ugandan law,” he said.
His explanation surprised many participants, particularly male attendees, who said many people in society believe having an affair with another man’s wife is a punishable offence.
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Responding to a question from a teacher who asked whether he could have either his wife or her lover arrested if he found them having sexual intercourse, Tukamuhebwa maintained that no criminal charges could arise solely from an act of consensual adultery.
He, however, clarified that a separate offence may arise if the alleged lover unlawfully enters the husband’s home or property.
“If the man enters another person’s home or property without permission, he can be charged with criminal trespass, but not because he had consensual sexual intercourse with the woman,” Tukamuhebwa explained.
The remarks prompted concern among some participants, who feared the legal position could be misunderstood and encourage irresponsible behaviour.
Mukono Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Godfrey Mwogeza, cautioned men against interpreting the absence of criminal sanctions for adultery as permission to pursue married women, warning that such conduct could trigger violent confrontations.
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“In our African setting, a man values his wife highly. If someone is found with another man’s wife, emotions can quickly get out of control. People risk being killed over such incidents,” Mwogeza said.
He urged members of the public to resolve domestic disputes through lawful means instead of resorting to violence.
His warning comes against the backdrop of several fatal incidents linked to suspected adultery.
In March 2026, a 30-year-old man, Vincent Kiyingi, was allegedly stabbed to death in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District, after reportedly being found in a woman’s bedroom by her husband.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, the suspect, John Masaba, allegedly confronted Kiyingi during the early hours of the morning before the altercation escalated into a fatal stabbing.
“The altercation reportedly escalated into a fight, during which Masaba allegedly stabbed Kiyingi with a knife and killed him instantly,” Kawala said.
Police said the woman fled before the attack and was later sought as a key witness in the murder investigation. Masaba was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.
Uganda has also recorded other killings arising from suspected love triangles and allegations of adultery, including incidents reported in Apac and Kagadi districts in 2024.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2024, the country registered 4,329 homicide cases during the year—an average of about 12 killings every day. The deaths resulted from assault, domestic violence, mob action, poisoning, arson, shootings and other forms of violence.
Although adultery may have social, cultural and marital consequences, it is generally treated as a civil or family matter rather than a criminal offence under Uganda’s current legal framework. Authorities continue to urge members of the public to seek lawful means of resolving domestic disputes and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
