Uganda's Court of Appeal has issued a landmark decision temporarily revoking prominent businessman Mohan Musisi Kiwanuka's authority over his extensive corporate holdings. The ruling, delivered this week, transfers immediate oversight of the 83-year-old tycoon's multimillion-dollar assets to his son Jordan Sebuliba Kiwanuka for a 30-day interim period. This significant reversal overturns a prior High Court determination that had permitted the aging magnate to retain control despite emerging concerns about his cognitive health.
The judicial intervention culminates a six-year legal struggle that began in 2019 when Jordan Kiwanuka first petitioned courts regarding his father's deteriorating mental condition. According to medical documentation reviewed by the appellate judges, the founder of Oscar Industries Ltd. has experienced progressive cognitive decline impacting his decision-making abilities. "The appellant demonstrated sufficient grounds for concern regarding Mr. Kiwanuka's mental capacity," the court stated, noting the unanimous professional assessments from treating physicians.
Family Fractures and Corporate Assets
At stake is one of Uganda's most substantial private business portfolios, encompassing 32 companies and 46 premium properties across Kampala's affluent districts including Kololo and Nakasero. The vast empire spans real estate development, energy infrastructure, and hospitality ventures that Kiwanuka established over six decades. Court documents reveal these assets became the center of intense familial discord, with Jordan and his siblings from Kiwanuka's first marriage accusing their stepmother - former Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka - and her son Edin Musisi of exploiting powers of attorney to transfer properties while the patriarch's cognitive abilities diminished.
The judicial turning point arrived in February 2025 when Kiwanuka's own legal representative made a stunning admission during proceedings. "Counsel for Mr. Kiwanuka admitted he is insane," Court of Appeal records state, referencing Francis Buwule's declaration before the bench. This pivotal concession supported medical affidavits describing progressive behavioral changes since 2014. Geriatric specialist Dr. Harriet Nankabirwa and long-time physician Dr. Simon Sekiganda Luzige both documented increasing forgetfulness, personality alterations, and impaired judgment in their patient.
Legal Precedent and Path Forward
The appellate decision notably invoked evolving jurisprudence around mental competency assessments. Justice Flavian Zeija, now Deputy Chief Justice, previously ruled that cognitive capacity isn't static, stating: "Mental status can change rapidly. Someone sane today may be insane tomorrow." This interpretation allowed reconsideration of Kiwanuka's condition despite the legal principle of res judicata, which typically prevents retrying settled matters.
Beyond the temporary management shift, the court mandated a critical family reconciliation process. Jordan Kiwanuka must convene all siblings within the 30-day transition period to establish a collaborative governance structure for the business empire. Legal analysts suggest this interim represents both a resolution opportunity and a test for the fractured family. "This temporary arrangement allows creation of a unified structure for sustainable business operations," the judgment emphasized, while acknowledging potential further litigation if consensus proves elusive.
As Uganda's business community watches closely, the case establishes significant precedent regarding corporate leadership transitions amid age-related cognitive decline. With Kiwanuka's once-indomitable entrepreneurial legacy now in others' hands, the coming weeks will determine whether familial reconciliation can preserve an empire built over a lifetime.
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