Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan has strongly reacted to claims made by a South African journalist that her late ex-husband Ivan Ssemwanga may still be alive. The journalist, Simon Kaggwa Njala, made the claims on his X account, sparking outrage from Zari. She took to her platform to express her disappointment and frustration with the journalist's comments. Zari emphasized that she and her family have followed due process and have confirmation of Ivan's passing.

Simon Kaggwa Njala, a journalist with NBS TV, had expressed doubts about Ivan Ssemwanga's death, citing a lack of concrete evidence. He claimed that he had inquired about Ivan's whereabouts at Steve Biko Hospital in South Africa, only to be told that no patient by that name had been admitted. Zari countered that the journalist's claims were unfounded and insensitive, especially given that she had followed proper procedures to confirm Ivan's passing.

Zari Hassan and Ivan Ssemwanga were married in 2001 and had three children together before parting ways in 2013. Ivan passed away in May 2017, leaving behind his children and former wife. Zari stated that she had taken steps to verify Ivan's death, including obtaining a report from the hospital in South Africa and following Ugandan customs to ensure his dignified burial.

Zari expressed her dismay at the journalist's attempts to cast doubt on Ivan's passing, questioning his motives and the timing of his comments. She emphasized that she and her family had done everything required to confirm Ivan's death and provide closure. Zari also highlighted that the hospital's policies and laws governing patient confidentiality would prevent them from disclosing information about Ivan's condition to the journalist.

The controversy surrounding Ivan Ssemwanga's death has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many expressing support for Zari and condemning the journalist's comments. Zari's fans and followers have rallied around her, urging the journalist to respect her family's wishes and the facts surrounding Ivan's passing.

Zari Hassan has urged the public to respect her family's wishes and the facts surrounding Ivan Ssemwanga's death. She emphasized that she and her family have done everything required to confirm Ivan's passing and provide closure. Zari also called on the journalist to be more responsible and respectful in his reporting, especially when dealing with sensitive topics like death and bereavement.

The incident has raised questions about the ethics of journalism and the importance of verifying information before making public claims. Zari's reaction to the journalist's comments has sparked a wider conversation about respecting the deceased and their families. As the controversy continues to unfold, many are calling for greater sensitivity and responsibility in reporting on sensitive topics.

Key points

  • Zari Hassan has strongly reacted to claims made by a South African journalist that her late ex-husband Ivan Ssemwanga may still be alive.
  • The journalist, Simon Kaggwa Njala, had expressed doubts about Ivan Ssemwanga's death, citing a lack of concrete evidence.
  • Zari emphasized that she and her family have followed due process and have confirmation of Ivan's passing.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.