Shakib Early Life and Education.
Shakib was born on January 5, 1992 in Kampala and grew up in Kawempe area. He has spoken about facing financial difficulties during his childhood.
Shakib attended several schools while growing up, including Balaal School in Bwaise, Nakasero Primary School and Midland Kawempe. However his education was affected by financial challenges, and in an interview with Pulse Uganda he revealed that he sometimes worked at Owino Market to raise money for school fees while he was still young. He eventually left school during his secondary years, explaining that he found it difficult to continue paying fees with the money he earned through hard work.
Despite not completing his higher education, Shakib pursued business and other career opportunities.
Shakib Cham’s Career in Business and Fashion
Shakib developed an interest in business and fashion at a relatively young age. In 2016, he was already living and working in Gauteng South Africa, where he described his love for fashion and urban style.
Shakib joined clothing retail, opening a fashion store King Cham Collections in Kampala in May 2024. The store deals in men’s fashion, with items including T-shirts, jeans, suits, shoes and fragrances.
Shakib Cham’s Breakthrough on Netflix
Shakib became more popular after joining the cast of Netflix’s reality television series Young, Famous & African in its third season, which premiered on 17 January 2025. He appeared alongside his wife, Zari Hassan, and other African entertainment personalities, including Diamond Platnumz, Khanyi Mbau and Ini Edo.
His appearance on the show gave viewers an opportunity to learn more about him beyond his relationship with Zari. Interestingly, Shakib chose to introduce himself in Luganda, explaining that he wanted to represent Uganda and showcase his mother tongue to an international audience. Shakib on young famous and African.
Shakib Cham Lutaaya’s Boxing Career
Shakib Cham Lutaaya developed an interest in boxing while he was still young, having grown up in a family with a boxing background although he put the sport aside as he pursued other interests but later resumed after watching the boxing movie Creed, which inspired him to take the sport seriously and venture into corporate boxing.
His first major professional boxing fight took place on 12 October 2024 at the NCS Indoor Arena in Lugogo, Kampala. He faced media personality JK Kazoora and won after Kazoora gave up during the fight. video of the fight.
In August 2025, Shakib faced musician Rickman Manrick in a highly publicised fight at the Kampala Rumble at MTN Arena, Lugogo. This time, he suffered a second-round knockout defeat although he requested for a rematch.Match video
Rather than giving up, he continued training and on 11 April 2026 returned to the ring against blogger Barista Timo at the International University of East Africa (IUEA), Kansanga and Shakib won by first-round knockout.match video
He also had a match with Kenyan musician Arrow Bwoy which took place on 20 June 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi during the Vurugu 2 event. Shakib won by technical knockout in the second round, marking one of the biggest victories of his corporate boxing journey. match video
Through these fights, Shakib has built a name in East Africa’s growing celebrity boxing scene, proving that his interests go beyond business and television appearances.
Shakib Cham’s DJ Career
In 2026, Shakib added another activity to his entertainment career by venturing into DJing. He made his official DJ debut at an event called One Night With Shakib Cham, held at Black Panther Lounge in Kampala on 9 July 2026. The event also celebrated his boxing victory over Kenyan musician Arrow Bwoy.
Shakib’s entrance before taking over the DJ booth made a scene leaving the crowd speechless in this video. He has since continued taking up DJ appearances at entertainment events in Kampala, including the Timeless Old School and R&B Experience at Skyz Hotel in November 2026
His move into DJing marked another step in his efforts to establish himself in Uganda’s entertainment industry.
Shakib Cham Lutaaya’s Wife and Children.
On 16 April 2023 Shakib Cham Lutaaya married Ugandan socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan in a private Islamic wedding ceremony known as Nikah in Pretoria, South Africa. The couple had made their relationship public in 2022.
Later, on 3 October 2023, the couple celebrated their marriage with a white wedding ceremony attended by family members and close friends. Their wedding celebrations also attracted attention through their appearance on Netflix’s Young, Famous & African.
Shakib is a father of two children from previous relationships he had in South Africa although he keeps this part of his life away from the public eye.
Through his marriage to Zari, Shakib also became a stepfather to her five children: three from her relationship with the late businessman Ivan Semwanga and two with Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz.
Shakib Cham’s Other Business Ventures
During his time at Young, Famous and African he mentioned his business interests identifying car dealerships and mineral trading. The two businesses are Cham Motors a car dealership involved in the sale of vehicles and his gold and mineral Aliko company.He explained that these ventures contribute more to his income than social media monetisation, which accounts for less than five per cent of his earning.
Despite growing up from a poor background Shakib has managed to build a name for himself in Uganda.
