Women fight over tycoon Mabirizi''s estate

By Joseph Mutebi, Meddie Musisi & Hannington Nkalubo

Trouble is brewing over departed city tycoon, Godfrey Mabiriizi's estate with his two wives disagreeing  over his will.

The well respected city tycoon, popularly known for his Mabiriizi Complex situated on Kampala Road,  succumbed to high blood pressure on Tuesday after he was rushed to Mulago hospital in very critical  condition.

His other prominent properties in the city include Mabiriizi City Plaza along William Street; Nalubega Plaza on Ben Kiwanuka near the former Equatorial hotel.

Andrew Benon Kbuuka consoles Winfred at her home in Naguru

Will brews trouble

Mabiriizi is survived by a total of ten children and two official wives. Of the ten children, four are born  by Ruth Mabiriizi his first wife, two by Winfred Mabiriizi the younger one and four others from other  women.

At the time of his death that shocked the business community he was staying with his second wife, Winfred,  in Naguru.

Now his first wife who stays in the leafy suburb of Bugolobi where the tycoon built his first home and  lived for over twenty years, has disagreed after learning that Mabiriizi Complex was bequeathed to 11-year  old Malcom Kayongo, a son to Winfred.

The family is also dismayed to learn that Nalubega Plaza was bequeathed to one his eldest daughter,  Evelyn Jabo, who is not a daughter to either of the official wives.

Mabiriizi is known to have been very fond of this particular daughter whom he gave away recently in a very  colourful ceremony.

The contention by Ruth's household is that Mabiriizi Complex should have been bequeathed to her son Stuart  Ssebuliba who has been running the business.

Mabiriizi's children eulogise him during the funeral service at Namirembe

Funeral wrangles

The tension between the two families boiled to the fore on the day of Mabiriizi's untimely death. After he  was pronounced dead at Mulago hospital Ruth demanded that her husband's remains had to be taken to Bugolobi,  his official home.

Mabiriizi had left the home more than four years back.

Winfred however also insisted that her husband's wish was that his remains would be taken to the plush home  in Naguru for people to pay their respect.

Ruth argues that it would look bad if the vigil were not held in Bugolobi where he had lived more than 20 years.

However Ruth lost the fight when she was advised by relatives and friends that they should set aside their  differences and accord their husband a decent sendoff befitting of the respectful manner in which he  conducted himself.

Ruth is reported to have succumbed and attended the vigil in Naguru but only for a short while. Because of  the humble and respectful man he was, Mabiriizi's friends have since his death been trying to reconcile the  two parties and respect his dying wishes.

Business community hails humble, hardworking and kind man

During the funeral service that was led by his brother Canon Magala Musiiwuufu at Namirembe on Thursday, the business community under their association Tulibumu Club hailed Mabiriizi for his humility; a generous and  calm person who had empathy and helped others.

Some of his tenants in the various arcades he owned said he was always patient with them during economic hardships. His rental fees are known to be some of the fairest in town.

"The man has been treating us well even when you would fail to raise the rent for one month he would be patient yet his buildings are some of the cheapest to rent," said David Muganda, one of his tenants.

"Here at Nalubega space facing the roadside is just sh600,000."

Mabiriizi was laid to rest on Thursday at Namagoma near Nabbingo on Masaka road.