A high-stakes inheritance battle valued at more than 1 trillion Ugandan shillings ($260 million) has erupted in the High Court, exposing deep rifts within one of western Uganda’s wealthiest business families and raising questions about governance of family-owned empires.
The dispute, filed under Administration Cause No. 1046 of 2025, pits Alwyn Carl Musinguzi, the late businessman’s first-born son, against his mother Peace Kesime Musinguzi over control of the vast estate of James Garuga Musinguzi, a tea magnate, hotelier and philanthropist who died earlier this year.
Through M/S Abaine-Buregyeya & Co. Advocates, Alwyn lodged a caveat seeking to block his mother from obtaining sole letters of administration.
“Let nothing be done in the matter of the estate of the late James Garuga Musinguzi … without notice to I, Alwyn Carl Musinguzi,” the filing states.
According to an affidavit seen by ChimpReports this Wednesday morning, Alwyn accuses Peace Kesime of “fraudulently and grossly under-declaring the deceased’s estate,” claiming the true value exceeds UShs 1 trillion.
He provides a sweeping list of assets, including:
Prime real estate: a three-storey mansion on Plot M63, Garuga Close, Mbuya (valued above UShs 6 billion), a 20-acre country home in Rugyeyo with a 15-bedroom house (UShs 20 billion), and a rental property on Serunkuma Road generating UShs 20 million per month.
Extensive land holdings: more than 152 titles under Garuga Properties Ltd covering 210 acres in Garuga — each acre valued at roughly USD 200,000 — plus over 30 square miles of land through Incafex Ltd and ranches in Ngoma and Kyankwanzi worth about UShs 50 billion.
Agribusiness & industry: majority shares in Kigezi Highland Tea Ltd with four factories across Kabale, Rukungiri and Kisoro; shareholding in Kinkizi Development Co. Ltd (UShs 20 billion); a maize factory and over two square miles of land under Kamwenge Community Development Project Ltd (UShs 30 billion).
Tourism & hospitality: Savanna Resort Hotel Ltd, a 35-acre luxury property with an 18-hole golf course and private airstrip, valued at over UShs 40 billion.
Financial assets: liquid cash in bank accounts exceeding UShs 5 billion, allegedly reserved for medical treatment abroad.
The affidavit further alleges concealment of condominium apartments in Kyambogo (UShs 2 billion), prime plots in Kololo, Najjanankumbi and Hanlon Road (worth over UShs 10 billion), and shares in Kanungu Broadcasting Services Ltd (UShs 10 billion).
Alwyn insists that “all beneficiaries are adults and capable of jointly administering the estate of their deceased father,” and claims his mother is “medically struggling and won’t ably administer the huge estate.”
He also faults her for not securing a Certificate of No Objection from the Administrator General, a mandatory requirement before administration rights are granted.
The High Court’s Family Division has not yet set a hearing date, but legal observers say the case could become a landmark in Uganda’s succession jurisprudence, particularly in clarifying disclosure obligations for family-owned corporations and agribusiness holdings.
Uganda has seen a surge in inheritance litigation in recent years involving tea estates, banks, and real estate portfolios. Analysts say this trend highlights the lack of clear succession plans in many family businesses.
“This is not just a domestic quarrel – it’s a governance and accountability test,” said a Kampala-based commercial lawyer not connected to the case.
“The sums involved are massive, and the ruling will be closely watched across East Africa.”
