Principal Judge stops eviction of Katatumba
Businessman and Pakistan Consul to Uganda Bonny Katatumba kneels in prayer after hearing the news that Principal Judge Yorokamu Bamwine had directed that he repossesses Blacklines House. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
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In a February 19 letter, Justice Yorokamu Bamwine also directed the Head of Execution and Bailiffs Division of the High Court, Justice Ralph Ochan, to take over the management of the crisis, which he said was created by conflicting orders
KAMPALA- The fight over ownership of the former Blacklines House yesterday took a new twist after the Principal Judge directed that the court order directing the repossession of the house by businessman Boney Katatumba be maintained until further orders.
In a February 19 letter, Justice Yorokamu Bamwine also directed the Head of Execution and Bailiffs Division of the High Court, Justice Ralph Ochan, to take over the management of the crisis, which he said was created by conflicting orders.
“The orders giving possession to Mr Katatumba shall be maintained pending further directions and or orders,” wrote Justice Bamwine amid the eviction of Mr Katatumba that turned violent leading to the arrest of a guard.
Flanked by police officers, court bailiffs threw out Mr Katatumba and returned the house to businessman Mukesh Shukla.
The eviction of Mr Katatumba came just nine days after the Deputy Registrar of the Commercial Division of the High Court, Mr Thadeus Opesen, ordered the attachment of the building located on Plot 2 Colville Street in Kampala until final determination of the case between the two businessmen.
Mr Katatumba and Mr Mukesh have been wrangling over prime city properties, each claiming to be the rightful owner.
The properties include: Hotel Diplomat in Muyenga, Katatumba Suites, which until the eviction was Shumuk Building, and Katatumba Resort Island, Banda in Kalangala District.
On February 3, Mr Opesen ordered the eviction of Shumuk Springs Development Ltd and Springs International Hotel Ltd from the property.
But barely a day after, Ms Irene Akankwasa, the deputy registrar in charge of Execution and Bailiffs Division at the High Court, halted the order, arguing that it had been issued in error.
This was after a hearing of pleadings from Mr Fred Makada, a lawyer representing Shumuk Springs Development Limited.
On February 17, Ms Akankwasa issued another order directing the police to oversee the eviction of Mr Katatumba and ensure that the building is returned to Shumuk Springs Development Limited.
