Kampala — A WIFE to a senior pastor in town has filed for divorce over infidelity.

Ms Joan Ndikirya Makumbi, wife to Pastor Patrick Makumbi of Victory Christian Church in Ndeeba, is accusing her husband of having extra-marital affairs, domestic violence and denying her sex since 2000.

The Ndeeba-based church is owned by Pastor Joseph Sserwadda who is the senior pastor at the church.

Ndikirya filed for divorce at the Chief Magistrate's Court in Mengo through M/S Nampandu, Mugwanya & Co. Advocates.

Court is set to hear the case on November 30.

Ndikirya, a popular gospel singer, has been married to Pastor Makumbi since July 1994.

The couple has two children, aged six and nine.

The petition states that between December 9 and 11, 2004, Ndikirya discovered that Makumbi committed adultery with a "certain lady" whom he allegedly spent two nights with in the boys-quarter apartment of their matrimonial home in Salaama, Makindye.

Ndikirya said when her husband invited the mistress home, he never introduced her to the rest of the family.

"In another instance, when your petitioner had gone to request for some money from the respondent at his office at Victory Christian Church at Ndeeba at around mid-day...your petitioner found the respondent's office door locked but could hear certain noises emanating from inside," the petition reads in part.

Ndikirya claims the pastor was locked inside the office with a mistress.

She alleges that on several occasions, Makumbi physically assaulted her and even tried to strangle her.

She said she has reported Makumbi's cruel deeds to the area local council authorities, the police and Church leaders but her husband has not changed.

Because of the assaults and threats, Ndikirya was forced to leave the family home at Salaama.

"I feel betrayed by the leadership of Victory Church in Ndeeba. Apart from Ms Sserwadda, and Pastor Dennis Kayizzi of Kireka Victory Gospel Church, the rest have looked on as Makumbi mistreated me," Ndikirya, a presenter on Family Radio station in Luzira said yesterday.

Makumbi told Daily Monitor yesterday by phone that he is aware of the petition.

"However, I am not prepared to comment on it," he said.

Ndikirya alleges that apart from the physical assaults she endured, Makumbi, at one occasion tore her clothes and bags and broke her watch, a destruction which could be attested to by Victory Church Pastors, Bugingo and Mukiibi.

She claims that because of the battering, she experiences occasional sight problems.

Makumbi is a co-host of Omwana W'omwami programme on Impact FM radio station, owned by Victory Church. He also heads the Church's branch in Kajjansi.

The petitioner argues that Makumbi's adulterous ways and cruel character do not favour the welfare of the children who have since last year been staying with their mother outside Makumbi's home.

Ndikirya wants court to dissolve the marriage, give her custody of the children and have Makumbi condemned.

She also wants a permanent allowance and maintenance of the children and the respondent to pay the costs of and incidental to the petition plus any other relief court may deem fit.

This is the second time this year a Kampala pastor is involved in a divorce tangle over adultery.

Early last month, Pastor David Kiganda of Focus Christianity Centre publicly "divorced" his wife Hadija Nassejje Kiganda over allegations of adultery.