Yo Maps seeks full custody of daughter, Bukata, names Journalist Mwenda as co-parent in court filling

Zambian musician, Elton Mulenga, known as Yo Maps, has asked the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court to grant him full custody of his five-year-old daughter, Bukata Joana Mulenga, citing repeated denial of access and alleged attempts by her mother to alienate him from the child.

In court documents, Mulenga argues that Bukata would thrive in a stable, loving household with him and his wife, Kidist Kifle Mulenga, who has committed to raising the child “as her own.”

The couple lives with their daughter, Tendai, in a three-bedroom home in Lilayi.

The child’s mother, media personality Prudence Nakamba, popularly known as Mwinjukanji is listed as the respondent in the matter.

In a surprising twist, Mulenga has also named Joseph Mwenda, Editor-in-Chief of News Diggers, as Nakamba’s husband and part of the household where Bukata currently resides.

According to the affidavit, Mulenga claims Nakamba lives in a crowded household of at least seven people, including Mwenda and his two children.

He raised concerns about Bukata’s wellbeing and alleged that he is kept in the dark about her education and health despite being responsible for all her school fees, medical costs, and general upkeep.

He said the current arrangement, governed by a 2022 consent order, granted him “reasonable access,” but that this had been consistently denied.

He recounted a painful moment when Bukata failed to attend her sister Tendai’s birthday despite prior arrangements, alleging that Nakamba later revealed she was in Lusaka but refused to release her.

“I’ve only had formal access to my child once in three years,” Mulenga said in the affidavit. “It breaks my heart and crushes my soul.”

Mulenga is asking the court to vary the current custody arrangement, allowing him to assume full parental responsibility while granting Nakamba “reasonable access.”

He assured the court that his home environment is safe, supportive, and fully equipped to raise both daughters with love and care.

Kidist, in a supporting affidavit, stated: “I am more than willing to raise Bukata as my own and have actively participated in her welfare.”

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