A bitter succession dispute has erupted within the family of the late businessman James Garuga Muntu, pitting his widow against one of his sons over the control of an estate estimated to be worth more than a trillion shillings.
Court documents reveal that Garuga’s widow has accused her stepson Alwyn Carl Musinguzi of attempting to sideline her in the management of the vast empire, which spans real estate, hospitality, agriculture, and financial investments.
She argues that as the surviving spouse, she is legally entitled to oversee and protect the family’s assets until a fair distribution plan is agreed upon.
However, the son, whose name is being withheld due to ongoing legal proceedings, insists that his father entrusted him with key responsibilities in the family businesses long before his passing.
He claims his experience and direct involvement in the empire’s operations give him the right to manage the estate, warning that delays and disputes could threaten the stability of the companies and the livelihoods of hundreds of employees.
The feud has now escalated into a full-blown legal battle, with both parties seeking court intervention.
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.
Alwyn accuses Peace Kesime of “fraudulently and grossly under-declaring the deceased’s estate,” claiming the true value exceeds UShs 1 trillion.
There are fears that prolonged wrangles could destabilize some of the businesses built over decades of Garuga’s entrepreneurial vision.
They include 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.
Relatedly,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.
Also he allegedly owned 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).
The businessman was the proprietor of Savanna Resort Hotel Ltd, a 35-acre luxury property with an 18-hole golf course and private airstrip, valued at over UShs 40 billion.
He is also said to have had 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,
This is the latest case among the growing number of inheritance battles in Uganda, particularly among wealthy families, where disputes over succession planning continue to expose gaps in estate management and family trust structures.