A fresh family dispute has emerged over the ancestral property of the late businessman Dr James Musinguzi Garuga, with his widow, Peace Kesiime Bagorogoza, accused of evicting his elderly mother, Canon Violet Garuga, from land in Rugyeyo, Kanungu District.According to a family member familiar with the matter, Canon Violet had been using the land, which was registered in the late Garuga’s names, to graze animals and grow tea as a source of income. The family member claims the late businessman had allowed his mother to use the property during his lifetime to support herself and meet her daily needs.
The source alleges that the eviction has left the aging mother without access to the land-based activities that had provided her with a livelihood. The allegations have further intensified an already bitter dispute surrounding the administration and ownership of the late businessman’s extensive estate.The family dispute also comes against the background of an ongoing succession battle. Under the succession provisions cited in court proceedings, where an intestate deceased person is survived by a spouse, lineal descendants, a dependent relative and a customary heir or heiress, the dependent relatives are entitled to four percent of the estate, subject to the applicable law and the circumstances of the estate.Canon Violet’s position has reportedly become more contentious following Bagorogoza’s earlier application for sole letters of administration. The application was subsequently challenged by Garuga’s heir, Alwyn Carl Garuga, who lodged a caveat on September 2, 2025, objecting to the proposed administration of the estate.In Civil Suit No. 346 of 2025, Alwyn reportedly accused Bagorogoza of underdeclaring the deceased’s estate and questioned her transparency and accountability in handling the vast property.
He further raised serious allegations concerning the circumstances surrounding Garuga’s death and argued that Bagorogoza could not fairly administer an estate involving several beneficiaries. These remain allegations raised in court proceedings and have not been established as facts against the accused.Alwyn also argued that the beneficiaries were adults capable of jointly administering their late father’s estate, while challenging the process through which Bagorogoza had sought sole control.
He further pointed to the absence of a Certificate of No Objection from the Administrator General in her application.The High Court Family Division, in a ruling by Justice John Eudes Keitirima, appointed the Administrator General, Victor Manzi, to take neutral control of the estate, whose business interests have been described in the proceedings as being worth about Shs1 trillion. The Administrator General is currently managing the estate under court supervision, although the assets cannot be distributed until the substantive succession dispute is concluded.
