Sheema businessman Katooto held for possessing firearm in court

Nov 18, 2017

Katooto has for years been battling renowned businessman Barnabas Taremwa in court over a another piece of land that he claims Taremwa used State power to grab from him

Renowned businessman James Mbabazi aka Katooto was last week detained at Bushenyi Police cells for three days, after he was discovered to have been in possession of a firearm during a court session.

Katooto (67) was on Tuesday, appearing before Grade I magistrate Patrick Bamuhiga, at Kagango division court in Sheema Municipality, to defend himself against a criminal trespass case filed against him by Jovans Tushemereirwe.

Tushemereirwe, who is a neighbour to Mbabazi, accuses him of grabbing her 1.5 acre land situated in Kanyeganyegye town board in Masheruka, Sheema municipality, which she says she inherited from her mother Robinah Kenjwano and also threatening her life with a gun on a police case number CRB 864/2017.

However, no sooner had the court session commenced for the first hearing on Tuesday, than Mbabazi was found to be in possession of a pistol, which forced magistrate Bamuhiga to order for his immediate arrest.

Gets bail

On Friday, Mbabazi was granted bail following the bail application filed by his lawyer Silas Mugabi Kahima, on grounds that he was diabetic and that detention was a threat to his aging life.

Magistrate Grade I Bamuhiga then allowed the bail application for Mbabazi with a sh500,000 shillings (not cash).

Bamuhiiga also requested the two parties to try and resolve the matter and reconcile before the set for the betterment of their relationship as neighbours.

Cause of the conflict

The two parties have failed to agree on the true owner of the land despite several attempts by the friends, relatives and the local council officials.

While Tushemereirwe claims she is the legitimate owner of the land and presented the land title known as Plot 68 Sheema block 19 obtained on 20/11/2011, Mbabazi claims to have bought the same piece of land from the late Steven Nuwagira who was son to the late Robinah Kenjwano and mother to Tushemereirwe.

The claimed land is along the road that connects Buhweju with Sheema Municiplaity headquarters and Tushemereirwe claims that Mbabazi started claiming her inherited property in July this year, when UNRA started marking the road to start working on it.

She says she has since been intimidated by Mbabazi reason, she decided to seek for justice from the higher authorities.

Katooto has for many years now, been battling in court with renowned businessman Barnabas Taremwa over another piece of land that he claims Taremwa used State power to grab from him.

 

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