Musa Hasahya, a 67-year-old Ugandan farmer, has made headlines by announcing that he will no longer continue expanding his family — a decision prompted by increasing financial hardships. Hasahya, who has fathered 102 children with 12 wives and is also grandfather to 568 grandchildren, says the soaring cost of living has outpaced his ability to support his extensive household.
My income has steadily declined due to the rising cost of living, while my family has only grown,” Hasahya told The Sun. Reflecting on his lifestyle, he remarked, “I kept marrying one woman after another — how can one woman ever be enough for a man?”
Hasahya’s wives live together under one roof, a practice he claims helps maintain harmony and ensures none leave him for other men in the village. However, the economic burden has become unsustainable, leading him to request that his wives begin using birth control. His youngest wife, 31-year-old Zukaika, who has given birth to 11 of his children, supported the move. “I’m done having children,” she said. “We’re in a tough financial spot, and I’ve started using birth control.”
Hasahya’s children span a remarkable age range — his youngest is six years old, while his eldest is 51, two decades older than his youngest wife. Due to declining health, Hasahya is no longer able to work, and two of his wives have already left, citing financial strain.
His story began in 1971 when, at age 16, he married his first wife, Hanifa. He left school shortly after and became a father two years later. Over the decades, Hasahya expanded his family through entrepreneurship and land ownership. However, recent years have seen a reversal in his fortunes.
Today, Hasahya is appealing to the Ugandan government for support, particularly for assistance with the education of his children — a growing cost he is no longer able to bear.
