Katatumba denies sale of property to competitor

Kampala.
Businessman Boney Katatumba yesterday told court that he did not sell his property to his rival, Mukesh Shukla as alleged but offered it as guarantee to acquire a loan, sparking off a new twist of events in the five-year legal battle between the duo.

“I did not sign any transfer letters and I don’t know anybody who drafted the same because we signed a sale agreement as a guarantee. Anyone transfer document is a forgery and whoever is behind that forgery will be prosecuted,” Mr Katatumba told High Court judge Henry Peter Adonyo.

Mr Katatumba, also the Consulate of Pakistan, said he did not have authority to sell property without the consent from co-owners.
“All documents showing that my wife and children consented to the sale were forged and the police are handling the case,” Mr Katatumba said while showing handwritten reports.

His testimony comes after controversial eviction orders which have since been quashed by High Court judge Alphonse Owiny-Dollo.
The judge said orders in connection with the disputed building on Plot 2 Colville Street in Kampala were extracted in non-compliance with what is contained in the ruling by the registrar of Commercial Court.

Mr Mukesh under his business Shumuk Springs Development Ltd and Springs International Hotel and Mr Katatumba have been wrangling over the prime city property, each claiming to be the rightful owner.

The property are Hotel Diplomat in Muyenga, Katatumba Suites which until the eviction was Shumuk Building and Katatumba Resort Island Banda in Kalangala District.

Background

Mr Katatumba insists that Mr Shukla relies on documents on which he failed to purchase Blacklines House (Katatumba Suites) in August 2008. It is alleged that the initial agreement was to sell the building to Shukla at $5m (about Shs12b)but the latter deposited $420,000 (Shs1b).