The court has set strict conditions for the renewal of letters of administration for the estate of the late Keith Muhakanizi, the former secretary to the Treasury.
Justice Celia Nagawa said the renewal would only be granted if the administrator, Janet Kamukama Muhakanizi, complies with key legal requirements, especially filing a full account of how she has managed the estate so far.
The case arose after Kamukama, the widow of the late Muhakanizi, applied to the court seeking an extension of her authority to manage and distribute his estate.
She had originally been granted letters of administration on November 17, 2023, but these expired on November 17, 2025, before the process was completed.
Muhakanizi was a well-known public servant who served as Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance. He also worked in the Office of the Prime Minister and played a key role in managing Uganda’s public finances.
After his death, his widow was appointed administrator of his estate, which includes shares, land, and employment benefits.
Kamukama, through her lawyers from Tumusiime, Kabega & Co. Advocates, explained that some assets could not be processed without a valid grant.
She said she needs to process Muhakanizi’s employment benefits from the Ministry of Public Service and shares in companies such as UMEME, Bank of Baroda, New Vision, and SBG Securities.
Justice Nagawa explained the law governing such applications, emphasizing that letters of administration are valid for a maximum of two years. However, she said the court can extend them if certain conditions are met.
Court records show that Kamukama had taken some steps in managing the estate. She filed an inventory listing the estate’s assets on May 17, 2024.
However, the judge noted a major problem. Kamukama had not shown how she handled the estate before they can be granted more time.
Kamukama said she had started administering the estate but could not complete the process due to the expiry of the grant.
She also said more time was needed to transfer shares and process land titles.
Justice Nagawa also observed that some assets, including shares, had not been disclosed earlier in the original petition.
Another important factor was whether the beneficiaries agreed to the extension.
Justice Nagawa confirmed that the deceased was survived by his widow and three children, named as Catherine Siima Itabaaza, Nahum Azairwe Muhakanizi, and Noah Ainembabazi. All of them signed consent forms supporting the application.
After considering all the facts, she concluded that it would be in the best interest of the family to allow the extension.
However, Justice Nagawa did not grant it immediately. She set two conditions for the extension.
First, the widow should file an account of the estate of the late Muhakanizi within one month from the date of this Ruling.
Secondly, the account must explain how the estate has been managed during the time the applicant already had authority.
Only after this is done, and if the court is satisfied, will the extension be granted, Justice Nagawa said.
