Affair to Remember

[Fathia M. Absie]

Military court in Kampala convicted Joshua Asisa to a one-and-half years in prison. Mr. Asisa who is a member of the AMASOM peace-keepers in Somalia have been found guilty for engaging in an affair with a young Somali woman by the name of Nimco Omar and impregnating her after marrying her under a false pretence by telling her that he was a Muslim.

This story took place last year in Mogadisho but no one heard of it till this young woman went to Kampala and took Mr. Asisa to court for lying to her. Mohamed Abukar Ahmed who is the Journalist that broke the story has told me that he has learned the story after it was reported by a news paper in Uganda. After that Mr. Ahmed tried to get in touch with the leaders of the Somali community in Kambala and was able to get in touch with the girl. He told me that Ms. Omar told him about her story and how she met Mr. Asisa who is doctor. He was working at a private hospital for the Uganda military in Mogadisho. Her father was ill and she was by his side while battling for his life. She told Mr. Ahmed, that Mr. Asisa was kind and took good care of her father. He assured her that if comes down to it, he’ll take her father to Uganda. After a little while, he told her that he likes her and that his was Muslim. After she conformed his faith with an interpreter and some other Somali men at the base, they got married in Islam. Her father passed and Joshua was transferred to Kampala. After he was gone she realized that she was pregnant and she informed his authorities at the base who then kept her there till she gave birth to a baby boy.

This story however, fascinating, is a serious breach of the AMASOM rules. Ms. Omar was send to Kampala to find the father her child. When she got there, she wasn’t able to locate Mr. Asisa. She later found out that Mr. Joshua Asisa was not who he said he was and that she didn’t have his correct information including the fact that he was a Christian and not Muslim like he said. Spokesperson for the Uganda Army Lt Col Felix Kulayigye said that “indulging and having any kind of affair with Somali women is against the AMASOM Procedures and the prejudice of the good order and discipline”

Even the Uganda President Yoweri Museveni had warned the solders against illicit love affairs with Somali women. Yet this has happen. However, this story might be the only one we’ve heard about thus far and not the only one. Solders have been famous for charming the hearts of women of nations at post.