Mao's marriage with Naomi dissolved by court

KAMPALA- The 16-year old marriage of Norbert Mao, the president general of  Opposition Democratic Party (DP), has been formally dissolved by the Family Division of the High Court.

 The marriage between Mr Mao and his wife Ms Naomi Achieng Odongo was dissolved by Justice Godfrey Namundi on May 27, for having irretrievably broken down and that there was no hope of redeeming it.

“A decree Nisi is hereby entered dissolving the marriage between the petitioner (Naomi) and the respondent (Mao)," Justice Namundi ruled.

In his analysis, the judge held that even though Ms Odongo had not adduced evidence to prove that Mr Mao was cruel to her as she had claimed, he had to look at the evidence in its totality which proved that indeed their marriage had broken down.

"Looking at the facts of this case in totality and evidence of the petitioner (Naomi Odongo), it is evident that the marriage is irretrievably broken down. It's accordingly a foregone conclusion that both parties want a divorce and their marriage cannot be redeemed," Justice Namundi ruled.

The dissolution of the 16-year marriage followed a divorce petition by Ms Odongo, citing cruelty and desertion by Mr Mao.

At the time of the dissolution of their marriage, court heard that the duo was living separately for over eight years.

They were married on August 8, 2003 at the Registry of Marriages and had two children aged 19 and 14 respectively.

Further in his judgment, Justice Namundi ordered that Mao relinquishes his property in Gulu located at Plot 14 sitting on 1 acre of land, Kitgum Road to Ms Naomi Odongo and also transfers a motor vehicle Reg No. UAH 437 Z to her.

Justice Namundi  further ordered that Mr Mao can continue staying in the Ntinda matrimonial home with their two children for the a period of three years and thereafter, the children will jointly own the said house located in Minister's Village.

Mr Mao had indicated to court that he was willing to relocate and get a new residence and leave the Ntinda home within a period of 3-4 years.

He had in his defence before court, submitted that he purchased and developed the Ntinda house alone and that he decided to add his wife's name on the transfer papers because he was a politician and a legal aid lawyer who had seen widows being dispossessed and that he thought it was wise that his wife too becomes a joint owner.

Ms Naomi Odongo had stated that she too contributed towards the construction of the Ntinda house. She had proposed that the house be rented out as they divorced with the proceeds going to support their children.

The court also granted Ms Naomi Odongo and Mr Mao a joint custody of their children with Mr Mao having a primary custody and Ms Naomi Odongo having visitation rights upon sufficient notice to her ex- husband.

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