In a landmark decision delivered this week, the Court of Appeal has stripped renowned Ugandan tycoon Mohan Musisi Kiwanuka of managerial powers over his sprawling business empire, citing deteriorating mental health as the primary reason. The court’s ruling marks a pivotal moment in a protracted family and legal battle that has raged since 2019.
The appellate court reversed an earlier High Court ruling, which had allowed 83-year-old Kiwanuka to retain control despite mounting evidence of mental incapacity. The new decision temporarily transfers authority to his son, Jordan Sebuliba Kiwanuka, who has been tasked with managing the family’s 32 companies and more than 46 prime properties across Kampala for a 30-day interim period. Jordan is also directed to convene a family meeting to establish a collaborative and sustainable management structure.
The court’s move follows compelling medical evidence and an admission by Kiwanuka’s longtime lawyer that the tycoon is “insane.” Physicians treating Kiwanuka since 2014, including Dr. Simon Sekiganda Luzige and geriatrician Dr. Harriet Nankabirwa, documented a marked decline in his memory and personality.
This decision is expected to pave the way for a more unified approach to managing one of Uganda’s most significant private business empires, though further legal proceedings may follow depending on the family’s ability to reach consensus.
