The Court of Appeal ruling last week that businessman Mohan Kiwanuka was mentally incapable of managing his business affairs could dramatically reshape the control of an empire spanning media, real estate, manufacturing, and logistics.
Kiwanuka, 81, owns over 46 prime properties, 26 of which are in the upscale Kololo alone.
The ruling followed a petition by one of his sons, Jordan Ssebuliba, who accused one of Kiwanuka’s wives, Maria Kiwanuka, of sidelining Kiwanuka’s other children in managing his properties.
Court rules Mohan Kiwanuka has “mental issues,” orders him to appoint estate manager
Ssebuliba, whose mother, Beatrice Kavuma, was at one point disowned by the tycoon, claimed that Maria had taken advantage of Kiwanuka’s mental state to execute her schemes.
Maria’s loss
The ruling has rightly sparked debates about family loyalty, legacy, and wealth on social media.
Yet the biggest loser in this saga appears to be Mohan’s second wife, Maria Kiwanuka, the former finance minister, whose influence over the estate has been decisively curtailed.
Maria Kiwanuka, married to Mohan since 1986, had positioned herself as a central figure in managing his multibillion-dollar empire, particularly in recent years as his health deteriorated. Many people thought that she was his only wife.
In 2019, she secured directorships in all six of Mohan’s holding companies, a move that granted her significant control over his assets. This was seen by some family members, particularly Ssebuliba and his mother, Beatrice Kavuma, Mohan’s first wife, as an attempt to monopolize the estate.
Ssebuliba, supported by Mohan’s sisters and medical evidence, argued that Maria exploited Mohan’s cognitive decline to entrench her authority, sidelining his children from his first marriage and even restricting access to him.
Maria’s loss is not just financial but reputational. As a former finance minister, she was a public figure synonymous with competence and authority. Yet, the legal battle has painted her as an opportunist in the eyes of some, with Ssebuliba and his allies alleging she blocked Mohan’s access to specialized treatment abroad to conceal his condition and maintain her grip on his wealth.
The family dynamics add another layer to Maria’s defeat. Mohan’s estate is now under the scrutiny of a broader family coalition, including his sisters and children from both marriages. The court’s directive for a family meeting to appoint a new manager effectively dilutes Maria’s authority, forcing her to negotiate with relatives she allegedly sidelined.
The inclusion of Beatrice and her children, whom Maria reportedly evicted from family properties, signals a shift in power toward a more collective oversight that includes previously sidelined family members.
Moreover, the forensic audit ordered by the court poses a significant risk. Mohan’s empire, including companies like Oscar Industries and properties across Kampala, has been subject to transactions that may now be questioned.
Allegations that Maria and her son, Edin Musisi, assumed powers of attorney to transfer properties to her children’s names could lead to legal and financial repercussions if substantiated. The audit, covering all dealings since 2017, could unravel years of decisions made under Maria’s watch, potentially leading to asset recovery or further legal battles.
Maria’s position was further weakened by the court’s emphasis on Mohan’s welfare. The justices ordered unrestricted access to Mohan for his relatives, a direct response to claims that Maria isolated him to maintain control.
This not only undermines her authority but also exposes her to accusations of neglecting her husband’s well-being for personal gain. Maria could be viewed by some as a figure who prioritized wealth over family, a stark contrast to her once-respected public persona.
In contrast, Ssebuliba, despite earlier legal setbacks and even Mohan’s public denial of his paternity, emerges as a victor in this saga. His persistence since 2019, when he first challenged Mohan’s mental capacity, has been vindicated.
The court’s acknowledgment of Mohan’s dementia, supported by medical evidence Ssebuliba championed, has restored his standing and influence within the family.
While Beatrice and her children regain access to Mohan and a stake in his estate, Maria faces the prospect of diminished control and public scrutiny.
As the family prepares for its court-ordered meeting, the question remains whether reconciliation is possible or if the battle for Mohan’s legacy will continue to tear them apart.
For now, Maria’s fall from grace should serve as a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of power when built on contested, unstable ground.
