Shakib: Zari supports me, but not financially
By Paulette Mboga, August 29, 2025Shakib Cham, husband to Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan, has addressed long-running speculation about his role in their marriage and his financial independence.
Speaking in a podcast on Friday, August 29, 2025, Shakib revealed that while Zari is a supportive wife, she does not fund his lifestyle as many people often assume.
“My wife is a supportive woman. She supports me, but not financially. She is the wife, but then you have to hustle for everything you want,” Shakib explained.
His remarks firmly push back against the narrative that Zari bankrolls his life. Instead, he insists that his success and possessions are the fruits of his own determination and years of hard work.
I hustle for everything I own
Shakib pointed to his history as proof of his independence, highlighting milestones that showcase his personal effort.
“I had my first car, a very nice car, which was a BMW. It shows that I work hard,” he said with pride. For him, the BMW was not just a luxury possession but a symbol of his resilience and ability to carve out his own path.
He went on to emphasise that anyone who has followed his journey on social media would see a clear record of his grind. “If you follow my social media from 2013, you will see that this person has really been working hard,” he noted, stressing that his achievements did not appear overnight nor come from someone else’s pocket.
Shakib dismissed the frequent chatter that Zari is the sole breadwinner in their relationship. For him, the public’s fixation on their age difference and Zari’s established wealth has overshadowed his own contribution and entrepreneurial drive.
Despite the scrutiny, Shakib portrays himself as confident in his ability to provide for himself and maintain his independence. He acknowledges Zari’s emotional and moral support in their marriage but makes it clear that financial responsibility lies squarely on his own shoulders.
The couple, whose relationship has been widely discussed online due to their age gap and Zari’s fame, continue to command attention across East Africa. While many still question the dynamics of their union, Shakib’s statements paint a picture of a man determined to prove that his success is self-made.