Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
By Our Reporter
Kampala: City tycoon Mukesh Shukla, popularly known as Mukesh, is once again at the centre of a long-running legal storm as alleged property mafias intensify efforts to frustrate his multimillion-dollar business empire through protracted court battles dating back to 2009.
At the heart of the dispute is Shumuk House, a prime commercial property on Colville Street in Kampala’s Central Business District, whose ownership has been contested for over a decade.
However, court documents and testimonies seen by RedPepper publications clearly show that the property was lawfully sold to Mukesh by the late businessman Bonney Mwebasa Katatumba.
Records indicate that the property was sold at a cost of USD 4,000,000 (currently about Shs14.4 billion), a transaction that has since been backed by key witnesses and acknowledged by members of the Katatumba family.
COURT TESTIMONY BLOWS MAFIA CLAIMS APART
In Civil Suit No. 0375 of 2009, Principal Witness No.3, Mr. John Kiganda, testified that on January 11, 2007, he was granted a Power of Attorney by the second counterclaimant. He was instructed to sign agreements relating to condominium units 52–62 between the second counterclaimant, Peter Lule, and the late Katatumba.
Kiganda further told court that he received 10 out of the 11 land titles, and that the late Eva Mulira witnessed the transaction.
Court records also show that Ms. Angela Katatumba, daughter of the late Bonney Katatumba, acknowledged completion of the sale and confirmed that the remaining title had been mortgaged to the East African Development Bank (EADB) and later Crane Bank Ltd, before being retrieved when Mukesh took over the property.
She further stated that possession of all 11 units was handed over to the second counterclaimant, further weakening claims that Mukesh illegally acquired the property.
HIGH COURT DISMISSES CLAIMS AGAINST MUKESH
In a decisive ruling, High Court Justice Stephen Mubiru found that evidence showed the land title was more likely held by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd counter-defendants, who had redeemed it from Crane Bank after clearing Katatumba’s outstanding loan.
Justice Mubiru ruled that the continued withholding of the title triggered restitutionary relief, ordering its return and dismissed claims against Mukesh.
“The claim by the 1st counterclaimant against Mukesh is hereby dismissed with no order as to costs,” Justice Mubiru ruled.
HOW THE LEGAL WAR BEGAN
Mukesh, through his companies Shumuk Springs Development Ltd, Springs International Hotel Ltd and Shumuk Financial Service Ltd, filed the suit on October 8, 2009 against Katatumba, Mohamedalli, Sempebwa, Peter Lule, Tecton Group, Arvind Patel and the Registrar of Titles. Katatumba, Sempebwa and Lule later filed a counterclaim.
Initially, on August 16, 2008, Katatumba agreed to sell the entire property—LRV 3606 Folio 13, Plot 2 Colville Street—including developments, furniture, fixtures and condominium units, to Shumuk Springs Development Ltd at USD 5,000,000 (currently about Shs18 billion).
The agreement required an initial deposit of USD 361,000 (currently about Shs3.63 billion) and the balance to be paid within 60 days. However, the contract was later repudiated, and on November 10, 2008, the property was resold to the same company at a reduced price of USD 4 million (currently about Shs14.4 billion).
Under the new agreement, Shumuk Springs Development Ltd paid an initial USD 361,000 (currently about Shs1.3 billion), with the balance to be cleared within 60 days.
SAGA FAR FROM OVER
Despite clear court findings, sources say powerful interests and property mafias continue to fuel the dispute, keeping the case alive through endless legal maneuvers—much to the frustration of the city businessman.
This is a developing story, and we shall keep you posted as more twists unfold in this high-stakes Kampala property saga.
POLICE CALLED TO WITNESS OFFICIAL HANDOVER OF HOTEL DIPLOMATE
Relatedly, Mukesh, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of Springs International Hotel Ltd, has formally written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) seeking police involvement in the long-awaited official handover of Hotel Diplomat, located on prime land at Muyenga, Tank Hill.
In a letter dated 2nd January 2026 and received at Police Headquarters in Naguru the same day, Shukla, through his company, requests the Uganda Police Force to preside over and witness the handover of the disputed hotel property situated on Plot 970/971.
The letter, seen by this publication, indicates that Springs International Hotel Ltd is the registered proprietor of the land and premises and is now seeking a formal, lawful transition amid what sources describe as prolonged tensions and interest from alleged property mafias.
“We hereby officially request your office for the official handover of Hotel Diplomat and invitation of the CEO (Mr. Mukesh Shukla) to receive at earliest,” the letter reads in part.
RedPepper understands that the property has previously been one of those at the centre of legal battles and competing claims between Mukesh and the late Katatumba family.
Mukesh, a prominent figure in Uganda’s hospitality sector under the Shumuk Group, has in recent years found himself battling multiple court cases linked to his properties—many of which he has publicly blamed on organized land grabbers operating with impunity.
Legal analysts say the formal request for police oversight could be a strategic move aimed at preventing sabotage, illegal occupation, or violent confrontations during the handover process.
The letter was copied to the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Headquarters and the company’s legal department, signaling that preparations for the takeover are already in advanced stages.
For now, all eyes are on Police Headquarters Naguru—and whether the handover will finally bring closure or ignite a fresh storm.
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