Ugandan Man Who Fathered 102 Children From 12 Wives Declares “Enough!”
Bugisa, Uganda – In the remote village of Bugisa, located in the Butaleja District of eastern Uganda, the sprawling family of Musa Hasahya Kasera has captured global attention due to its sheer size and the complexities it entails.
Kasera, a cattle trader and butcher by profession, has fathered an astounding 102 children with his 12 wives, and the family now boasts 578 grandchildren.
However, after decades of expanding his lineage, Kasera has recently declared, “Enough!”—a poignant admission of his struggle with the responsibilities of such a vast family.
The Genesis of a Megafamily
Musa Hasahya Kasera’s journey began in 1972 when he married his first wife at the age of 17. Their first child, Sandra Nabwire, was born a year later.
Encouraged by relatives who advised him to marry multiple times to build a larger family legacy, Kasera took their counsel to heart.
Over the subsequent decades, he wed 11 more women, resulting in the birth of 102 children. His youngest wife is currently 35 years old, while his children’s ages range from 10 to 50 years.
Kasera’s life, while once buoyed by community support and his roles as a cattle trader and butcher, has now become an intricate web of challenges. The once-thriving enterprise and support system have faltered, leading to severe strains on the family’s resources.
A Family Overwhelmed
The Kasera family’s compound spans five acres in Bugisa, where they reside in overcrowded, grass-thatched huts. Despite the large land area, space is insufficient to accommodate the extensive family comfortably.
Kasera’s main residence, shared with his wives, is deteriorating with age and neglect. To house his children, he has constructed around two dozen additional huts, but these structures are rudimentary and offer limited protection from the elements.
Financial strain has become a severe issue for the family. The income generated from their small-scale farming, weaving, and other communal activities is insufficient to meet basic needs.
Many family members engage in labor for neighbors or travel long distances to gather essential resources like water and firewood. Despite these efforts, there is often not enough to go around, exacerbating the already challenging living conditions.
The Personal Toll
Kasera has candidly admitted that the enormity of his family has led to significant personal difficulties. He confesses to having trouble remembering the names of most of his children, relying on a notebook to keep track. Of his 102 children, four have passed away, leaving him with 98 to support.
The emotional and logistical burden of managing such a large family has taken a toll, and Kasera now describes his past decisions as irresponsible.
Two of his wives have left due to the inability to adequately provide for them, and three others live separately in a nearby town to alleviate overcrowding. This fragmentation highlights the strain that polygamy and extensive family networks can impose on individuals and resources.
The Broader Context
Polygamy is legally sanctioned in Uganda, where certain religious and cultural traditions support the practice. The 2014 Census revealed that 8.3% of Ugandan women aged 18 and above were either married or sharing husbands in a polygamous relationship.
Despite various legislative attempts to outlaw polygamy since 1987, none have succeeded, reflecting the deep-rooted nature of this tradition in Ugandan society.
Zabina, Kasera’s third wife, has expressed regret over her decision to marry him, revealing her dissatisfaction with the continuous addition of new wives even after their marriage. However, Kasera maintains that, despite the difficulties, his family remains united and that he loves them all.
Looking Forward
In response to the current situation, Kasera and his wives have taken measures to prevent further expansion by adopting birth control methods.
Yet, this decision comes too late to remedy the existing challenges. The family’s future will likely continue to be marked by financial hardship and logistical struggles, underscoring the broader issues associated with managing large polygamous families in resource-limited settings.
Musa Hasahya Kasera’s story offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of traditional practices in a modern context and the unintended consequences of well-intentioned but ultimately overwhelming familial expansion.
