TAKEAWAYS

• Innocent Tegusulwa said he is the “boss” in his marriage and believes his wife should seek his permission before making major decisions.
• He argued that men are naturally given leadership in the home and that this authority is not dependent on wealth.
• Flavia Namulindwa disagreed, saying marriage should be based on friendship, partnership, and mutual respect.

Media personality Innocent Tegusulwa has sparked widespread debate after sharing his views on marriage during a discussion with fellow former Bukedde TV presenter Flavia Namulindwa.

Speaking about family leadership, Tegusulwa said that he considers himself the head of his household while his wife is expected to be submissive and follow his guidance.

According to him, his wife should not make major decisions independently, including travelling, without first seeking his permission. He explained that simply informing him is not enough, as he believes he has the authority to either approve or decline such requests.

“In my home, I am the boss while my wife is the servant. She has to ask for my permission before making important decisions or travelling.” — Innocent Tegusulwa

Tegusulwa further argued that a man’s authority in marriage is ordained by God and is not determined by his financial status. He maintained that even when a man is facing financial challenges, his position as the head of the family remains unchanged.

He also said that the responsibility of providing for the family, paying school fees, and meeting household needs belongs to the husband, adding that paying bride price reinforces those responsibilities and leadership roles.

“Marriage should not be about one person commanding the other. A husband and wife should be friends, partners, and respect each other’s choices.” — Flavia Namulindwa

However, Namulindwa strongly disagreed with Tegusulwa’s perspective, arguing that marriage is a partnership built on mutual respect rather than authority. She noted that women choose to get married willingly and should not be treated as though they have lost their independence after marriage.

The discussion has since generated mixed reactions on social media. While some users agreed with Tegusulwa’s traditional interpretation of marriage roles, others criticised his comments as outdated, saying healthy marriages thrive on communication, equality, and shared decision-making.