Former Kyadondo East parliamentary candidate and lawyer Maria Nassali Masereka has publicly denied authorising a notice of intention to sue the Kabaka over the implementation of a 2013 agreement between the Buganda Kingdom and the Baruuli Cultural Institution.
Speaking to journalists at her office in Kampala, Nassali said she only recently became aware of the document after it circulated publicly.
She maintained that neither she nor her law firm, M/S Nassali and Co. Advocates, instructed anyone to issue the notice.
Nassali alleged that individuals she described as freelance lawyers used her law firm’s letterhead without her knowledge or consent.
“I want to warn the general public, especially my clients, that some people are using my name to offer legal services without my consent,” Nassali said.
She alleged that Rogers Sande Bwanga, Barbra Naiza and others prepared and issued the notice on behalf of the Baruuli Cultural Institution without her approval.
According to Nassali, the alleged actions damaged her professional reputation and that of her law firm.
She said the matter raises concerns about compliance with the ethical standards governing legal practice in Uganda and could be referred to the relevant regulatory bodies for investigation.
The disputed notice, dated October 31, 2024, was reportedly issued under the name of M/S Nassali and Co. Advocates and signed by Barbra Naiza.
It called on the Buganda Kingdom to fully implement the 2013 agreement with the Baruuli cultural institution and demanded the removal of a Buganda Kingdom palace from land claimed by the Baruuli cultural institution.
Nassali insisted that Naiza had no authority to act on behalf of her law firm and described the document as unauthorised.
She further claimed that the incident had caused her financial losses, which she estimated at nearly Shs100 million. The claim has not been independently verified.
The 2013 agreement between the Buganda Kingdom and the Baruuli cultural institution sought to ease tensions between the two cultural institutions.
Among other provisions, it recognised the cultural leadership of the Baruuli institution, provided for government support towards the construction of its palace and administrative offices, and sought to safeguard the institution’s cultural independence.
The implementation of some aspects of the agreement has remained a matter of public discussion.
In another allegation, Nassali claimed that Naiza, together with another suspect, Aida Nakiyemba, allegedly used forged documents bearing the letterhead of another law firm belonging to lawyer Sheila Kagoro in an attempt to support a Swiss visa application.
According to Nassali, the alleged documents were rejected after the Swiss Embassy contacted Kagoro to verify their authenticity and she reportedly denied issuing them.
Nassali said the matter was later reported to Najjera Police Station under reference SD 19/15/07/2026. She said the report led to the arrest of Naiza and other suspects.
Police had not publicly commented on the allegations by the time of publication.
Likewise, Barbra Naiza, Rogers Sande Bwanga, Aida Nakiyemba and representatives of the Baruuli Cultural Institution had not responded to the claims.
