Tanzanian gospel music icon Rose Muhando has firmly denied claims that she is married, pushing back against widespread reports linking her to Kenyan pastor Robert Lumbasi.
The controversy erupted after Pastor Lumbasi publicly claimed that he had married the celebrated gospel minister in a private traditional ceremony.
His remarks, made during a church service and later circulated widely on social media, sparked intense debate across East Africa, drawing reactions from fans, fellow gospel ministers, and entertainment commentators.
However, speaking in a recent media interview, Muhando dismissed the claims outright, stating that no such marriage exists.
“Hapana, hapana, hakuna kitu kama hicho. Kama hakuna, hakuna,” she said, translating to “No, no, there is nothing like that. If there is nothing, then there is nothing.”
The Nibebe hitmaker emphasized that she is not married and would have no reason to hide such a significant life decision if it were true.
She added that as a gospel minister, transparency is important both to her faith and to the people who follow her ministry.
“I am a servant of God. If I were married, people would know. I would not hide something like that,” she stated.
The marriage claims originated from Pastor Lumbasi, who told his congregation that he had already married Muhando and that dowry had allegedly been paid in Tanzania in 2023.
He went further to caution other men against pursuing the singer, claiming she was already “taken.”
Lumbasi also referred to Muhando as his wife during the service, describing her using affectionate terms and suggesting their union was aligned with God’s plan to advance ministry work.
His statements quickly gained traction online, with blogs and entertainment pages amplifying the story.
Videos of his remarks circulated on TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, fuelling speculation and mixed reactions from the public.
Muhando’s denial has now put the claims into question, with the singer distancing herself from the pastor’s narrative.
She maintained that she has never been married and remains single.
In a light-hearted but pointed remark, the gospel star also revisited an earlier statement she once made joking about waiting for a “mzungu,” a comment that has followed her in the media for years.
She clarified that while people may joke about her past remarks, it does not change the fact that she is currently unmarried.
Despite facing personal and professional controversies in the past, Muhando has consistently returned to the spotlight through her music and faith-based message.