(Mpigi) – The Commercial Court case involving more than 1,000 residents of Bujuuko Satellite Estate in Mpigi district, who seek access to a 200 acre land title, has been postponed. Retired Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde and real estate mogul Joseph Yiga Magandazi, managing director of Jomayi Property Consultants Ltd, have been entangled in a legal dispute regarding a land sale agreement initially valued at 3.5 billion shillings. Yiga reportedly paid over 2.9 billion shillings but disputes continue over a remaining balance of 271 million shillings.
The current case is overseen by Justice Stephen Mubiru, head of the Commercial Court. The land title, which residents need for security, remains in question as Tumukunde asserts that Jomayi failed to fulfill the total payment. This disagreement prompted Tumukunde to terminate their 2012 contract. In a prior court settlement, Jomayi was ordered to repay the balance with 15% interest per year.
The residents, fearing potential eviction, are now appealing for the court’s protection to prevent any loss of their homes. The contested land, located in Njagi Ssabagabo, Mpigi district, spans block 31, plots 11, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33.
| Key Details of Dispute | Information |
|---|---|
| Land Size | 200 acres |
| Total Sale Value | Shillings 3.5 billion |
| Amount Paid by Jomayi | Over Shillings 2.9 billion |
| Outstanding Balance Claimed by Tumukunde | Shillings 1.1 billion |
| Residents’ Demand | Release of land title |
During the last hearing on September 30, 2024, lawyer Derrick Mulumbi, representing the residents, confirmed that all affidavits had been served to the respondents. Tumukunde, Jomayi Property Consultants, and land administrators George Sembeguya and Samson Kyamaggwa are among the parties involved. Mulumbi noted that all respondents except Tumukunde have agreed to cooperate with the application, though the judge emphasized that any agreements outside the courtroom must be formally recorded.
In response, Tumukunde’s lawyer, Philip Mwesiga, indicated they would contest the residents’ application. Mwesiga informed the court that Tumukunde was presently in Rukungiri district, attending to other matters. The residents have requested that if Tumukunde does not release the title, the court should direct the Commissioner of Land Registration to cancel the title and issue a special title for the residents.
Court records show that in 2012, Jomayi Property Consultants purchased the 200 acre land from Tumukunde for 3.5 billion shillings. Yiga claims to have paid Tumukunde 2.6 billion shillings but alleges that Tumukunde withheld the land title despite the initial payments. This led Yiga to file a case in the Commercial Court in 2015. The parties eventually settled under a consent judgment issued by Justice David Wangutusi, which required Yiga to pay the remaining amount in instalments and for Tumukunde to deposit the land title in court.
Per court documents, Yiga complied by paying 100 million shillings within two weeks, as stipulated. However, he alleges that Tumukunde did not fulfill his obligation to submit the land title to the court. Yiga later attested that he had made payments totaling 816.2 million shillings, with an outstanding balance of 271.3 million.
Jomayi now seeks a court declaration affirming its ownership of the land and an order compelling Tumukunde to officially transfer the title to Jomayi Property Consultants and deliver all related documentation.
