UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The High Court has granted unrestricted access to the family of Kampala property mogul Mohan Kiwanuka, following an admission by his legal representatives that he is suffering from mental illness.
The ruling came after Kiwanuka’s sisters—Jalia Muwanga, Nantege Yudaya Nsereko, Berti Nsereko Kawooya, and Sarah Nsereko—filed an application under Miscellaneous Cause No. 82 of 2023 at the Civil Division of the High Court, seeking a formal determination of his mental health status.
On February 11, 2025, Justice Flavian Zeija presided over the hearing, where Kiwanuka’s lawyer, Francis Buwule, acknowledged that his client was mentally ill. As a result, the court ordered that Kiwanuka’s family be granted unrestricted access to him.
Legal Background and Family Disputes
The legal battle surrounding Kampala property mogul Kiwanuka’s mental health and control over his vast real estate portfolio began in 2019.
His eldest son, Jordan Sebuliba, initially sought a court ruling on his father’s mental state, citing a 2017 medical report that diagnosed Kiwanuka with debilitating dementia. This condition affects memory and cognitive functions.
The medical report, conducted by a UK-based neurologist, had been commissioned by Kiwanuka’s wife, Maria Kiwanuka after she observed signs of cognitive decline.
The controversy intensified after Kiwanuka allegedly ordered the eviction of Sebuliba, his siblings, and their mother from several high-value properties in Kololo and Nakasero, two of Kampala’s most affluent neighbourhoods.
Although Sebuliba presented medical evidence in court, High Court Judge Musa Sekaana declined to order a mental examination in 2019.
Instead, after a brief courtroom interaction with Kiwanuka, Sekaana ruled that he was mentally fit to continue managing his real estate empire.
Sebuliba subsequently appealed the decision, filing Civil Appeal No. 61 of 2020 and Civil Appeal No. 43 of 2020 at the Court of Appeal, arguing that his father’s deteriorating mental health had impaired his ability to make sound business decisions.
Before the appeal could be heard, however, Kiwanuka’s legal representatives admitted his mental condition in response to the latest court application filed by his sisters.
Implications for Kiwanuka’s Real Estate Holdings
Kampala property mogul Kiwanuka is known for his extensive real estate portfolio, which includes high-end residential and commercial properties across Kampala’s prime locations.
His holdings span Kololo, Nakasero, Bugolobi, and other key urban districts, making him one of Uganda’s most influential real estate investors.
With the recent court ruling acknowledging his mental illness, questions arise about the legal status of the transactions and business decisions he has made since his condition was first documented in 2017.
Sebuliba, through his lawyers at BKA Advocates, wrote to the Court of Appeal registrar on February 12, 2025, requesting judicial review of all decisions made by his father post-2017.
“During the hearing [Miscellaneous Cause No. 82 of 2023], counsel for Mohan Kiwanuka admitted that he is insane. The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to pray that you be pleased to take judicial notice of this order and this development,” the letter reads in part.
If the Court of Appeal accepts this argument, several of Kiwanuka’s real estate transactions could be deemed null and void. This could impact property ownership claims and ongoing lease agreements, potentially leading to further legal disputes among stakeholders, tenants, and business partners.
Potential Legal and Business Consequences
Legal experts suggest that if a court officially declares Kampala property mogul Kiwanuka mentally unfit, his estate may require the appointment of a legal guardian or an administrator to oversee its management. This could mean a shift in control over his extensive property empire, affecting existing contracts and business arrangements.
Furthermore, should the court invalidate transactions made by Kiwanuka in recent years, it could trigger a series of legal battles among buyers, tenants, and business partners seeking clarity on the status of their dealings with him.
Family’s Next Steps
Kiwanuka’s family now awaits further court rulings that could clarify the extent to which his past decisions remain legally binding.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal will determine whether the High Court’s recent ruling impacts Sebuliba’s ongoing appeals.
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