A short video clip circulating on social media this week has ignited widespread debate over Ugandan socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan’s relationship dynamic with her husband, Shakib Lutaaya, popularly known as Shakib Cham.
The clip, widely reshared on Instagram and TikTok by entertainment pages, appears to show Zari telling Shakib that women admire him because of her influence—a comment that has divided fans, critics and relationship analysts.
Though the original source of the video remains unclear, the clip’s content has triggered intense online engagement, with many questioning whether Zari’s remark was light-hearted honesty, insecure posturing, or an assertion of the power imbalance in their relationship.
The resurfaced clip shows the couple seated together, reportedly during a casual moment, when Zari states, “women love you because of me. They are always wondering what I saw in you.”
The line has since become the centre of online conversation, spawning memes, commentary videos and heated discussions across East African digital communities.
Zari and Shakib’s relationship has always been a magnet for scrutiny. Since their public confirmation as a couple, the two have been followed closely by gossip pages, entertainment news outlets, and fans drawn by their public displays of affection, glamorous lifestyle, and sometimes controversial statements.
Shakib, significantly younger than Zari, has often been at the centre of commentary questioning the power dynamics of the relationship.
Zari, on her part, has remained unapologetically vocal about her influence, her brand and her experience navigating fame for over a decade.
Her remark in the circulating clip aligns with her established persona—direct, self-assured, and unbothered by public perception.
However, the viral moment revives an ongoing debate: Is Shakib celebrated because of who he is, or because of his association with a powerful, established public figure?
Zari’s words appear to directly address this discourse, arguing that much of Shakib’s public appeal is shaped by her visibility and star power.
As with most matters involving celebrity couples, reaction online has been mixed and emotionally charged.
On one end, some netizens assert that Zari’s comment is simply factual. They point out that Shakib’s public profile rose dramatically after he began appearing alongside Zari in photos, events, interviews and brand-aligned content.
Before their union, Shakib was largely unknown outside Ugandan social circles; now he commands a substantial fanbase, participates in influencer-coded content, and features regularly in East African entertainment news.
Supporters argue that Zari was not belittling him but acknowledging the obvious—her platform has amplified his visibility, as it has for other partners, collaborators or associates in similar celebrity ecosystems.
On the other end, critics found the remark condescending and unnecessary. Several commenters expressed concern that such statements might undermine Shakib’s confidence or suggest an unhealthy imbalance in which Zari positions herself as the sole source of value in their marriage.
Some argued that even if true, such a claim should not be made publicly.
Beyond the surface drama, the incident sheds light on the broader dynamics of celebrity relationships in an age where digital presence drives public identity, the influence of one partner can naturally extend to the other.