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Tycoon Mohan Kiwanuka loses control of property to family over mental illness
The Court of Appeal has ordered joint family oversight of the vast estate of Ugandan businessman and real estate magnate Mohan Musisi Kiwanuka, following a ruling confirming he has been mentally incapacitated by Alzheimer’s disease since 2017.
In a landmark 58-page ruling delivered on May 30, 2025, Justices Cheborion Barishaki, Christopher Gashirabake, and Dr. Asa Mugenyi set aside an earlier High Court decision, declared Kiwanuka mentally unfit to manage his affairs since May 18, 2017, and directed his immediate family to account for all estate activities carried out during that period.
“In view of all the evidence, it is clear that the respondent is suffering from dementia, a mental illness that has significantly impaired his capacity since 2017,” the judges ruled.
Family Battle Over Control
The decision caps a seven-year legal dispute triggered by concerns raised in 2017 about Kiwanuka’s deteriorating mental health. His son, Jordan Kiwanuka, from his first marriage to Beatrice Luyiga Kavuma Kiwanuka, filed a petition in 2019 after being denied access to his father by Kiwanuka’s second wife, Maria Nabasirye Kiwanuka, a former Finance Minister.
Jordan cited his father’s forgetfulness, withdrawal, and erratic business decisions. The High Court, however, dismissed the petition following a private interview with Kiwanuka. But the Court of Appeal admitted fresh medical and testimonial evidence and overturned that ruling.
Medical Confirmation and New Orders
The appellate court relied on affidavits from Kiwanuka’s four sisters, his uncle Dr. Muhammad Kasasa, and two doctors — Dr. Simon Ssekiganda Luzige and Dr. Harriet Nankabirwa — all confirming a steep decline in Kiwanuka’s cognitive and functional abilities.
A crucial piece of evidence was a Power of Attorney signed by Kiwanuka himself in 2019, acknowledging his mental deterioration and providing for medical oversight — contradicting the High Court’s finding.
Among the key orders issued:
Immediate removal of all current estate managers.
Mandatory family meeting within 30 days to appoint a new estate manager; if the family fails, the court will appoint one.
Unrestricted access for all lineal descendants and spouses to Kiwanuka and his medical records (in both Uganda and the UK).
Full disclosure within 30 days of all estate transactions from May 2017 to date — including asset sales, rental income, loans, and mortgages — backed by documentary evidence.
Estates and Holdings
Kiwanuka’s business empire spans media, manufacturing, real estate, and logistics, with at least 46 properties, 26 of them in upscale Kololo, Kampala.
His companies include: Oscar Industries Ltd, Visa Plastics Ltd, Visa Press Ltd, Radio One Ltd, Radio Two Ltd, Summit Group Ltd, Uniplus Ltd, Central Trust Ltd, Metro Services Ltd, and many more.
Notable properties include: Plot 1 Malcolm X Avenue, Plot 10 Akii Bua Road, Plot 15 Prince Charles Drive, and various holdings across Kololo, Naguru, Kiwatule, and Nakasero.
The court criticized Francis Buwule, Kiwanuka’s lawyer, for swearing an affidavit in the case while later acting as counsel, despite admitting that Kiwanuka had a mental illness. The matter has been referred to the Law Council for investigation.
“This is a matter in which the Law Council should be deeply interested,” the judges noted, condemning what they described as “dishonourable conduct.”
While some family members accused Jordan of seeking control of his father’s wealth, the court emphasized that the confirmation of mental illness does not imply wrongful motives.
“Regardless of the applicant’s intent, the respondent’s mental condition was advanced and undeniable,” the judgment read.
The post Tycoon Mohan Kiwanuka loses control of property to family over mental illness first appeared on Matooke Republic.