Blind man accused of snatching another man's wife

This may sound hilarious but a 52-year-old blind man, John Opio, has been accused of snatching the wife of a 70-year-old man, Augustine Osupa, and has even fathered a child by the woman, Rose Atuko.

The funny incidence which happened in Kees village in Ngora subcounty, Ngira district of Uganda, sent police officers and other residents of the county into bouts of laughter when it was reported.

According to Uganda News Vision, Osupa and Atuko had been married for 16 years and the marriage was blessed with 6 children before she abandoned home and moved in with blind Opio and their union was further cemented with the birth of a child who is now 3-years-old.

The paper reported that the matter only came to light recently when Osupa sought the intervention of the Child and Family Protection Unit at Ngora Central Police Station.

He said:

"I feel bad losing my wife to a blind man after producing six children with her during our 16-year-old marriage."

He said he still loved his wife and that it was not good for their children to miss the love of either parent, especially considering his advanced age and the need to have a wife by his side.

Opio, who was summoned to Ngora Central Police Station together with Atuko, says since she has declared her love for him, he is willing to refund Osupa’s bride price to enable him marry his 'new catch'.

"I will not prevent Atuko from visiting the children she produced with Osupa if I marry her. I will also offer them support where necessary."

The head of the Child and Family Protection Unit in Soroti, Michael Erimu, said they advised the two parties to have the matter resolved by clan members and accord the children their rights.

"Atuko’s heart is with Opio who has also declared his readiness to meet the cultural requirements in marrying her. Therefore, the clan should be able to solve this matter without hurting any party."

During a recent clan meeting, Atuko shocked relatives and friends by openly declaring that she could not continue being Osupa’s wife because of his advanced age and failure to carry out his conjugal duties.

"Even if Opio is blind, my heart is with him because he is able to meet all my needs as a woman; unlike Osupa my former husband."

In the end, Opio was fined and made to return the bride price Osupa paid on Atuko, which included cows and goats.