Summary:

• In a recent court ruling, Mukesh Shukla’s Shs50bn case against Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka was dismissed, with the judge finding no evidence of malicious prosecution, and now, administrators of the late Bonny Katatumba’s estate seek the return of their properties amid ongoing disputes.

In November of this year, Justice Esta Nambayo, a High Court judge from the Civil Division, ruled that Mukesh Shukla, a controversial city businessman, must pay costs and damages to Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka. This decision followed the dismissal of Shukla’s Shs50bn case, which originated from his business rivalry with the late Bonny Mwebesa Katatumba.

Shukla, represented by his lawyers, had sought compensation of Shs50bn from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government through the Attorney General, alleging malicious prosecution. Shukla claimed that in early 2013, Katatumba had accused him of conspiring to murder him, leading to charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Despite being arrested and charged, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later withdrew the charges without providing reasons.

In response, Attorney General Clare Atukunda argued that the police had the authority to arrest Shukla based on the complaint filed by Katatumba. She emphasized that the arrest was lawful, as police officers could act without a warrant if there was reasonable suspicion of a cognizable offense.

Atukunda further contended that the withdrawal of charges was justified, as Katatumba had lost interest in the case and requested the DPP to discontinue the charges. The complainant sought to settle the matter out of court, and Shukla had insisted on dropping the charges before any negotiations.

Justice Nambayo, in her ruling, concluded that there was reasonable cause for Shukla’s arrest and that he failed to demonstrate malice on the part of the defendant’s officers. The judge dismissed the case, stating that Shukla had not proven malicious prosecution and ordered him to pay costs to the defendant.

Following the court’s decision, administrators of the late Katatumba’s estate, led by Angella Katatumba, are now seeking the return of their multibillion property, Shumuk House, which Shukla claims to have purchased. The dispute over properties, including Blacklines House and Hotel Diplomat, has persisted for years, with Shukla asserting agreements to sell the assets, a claim contested by the Katatumba family. Allegations of Shukla forging the late Katatumba’s signature to gain control of the estate have also surfaced. The situation is ongoing, and further developments will be reported as they unfold.