NRM boss swaps home for cars

PIC: The house that the NRM vice-chairperson, Muhammad Musaga, exchanged for two cars from Masudi (inset).  Photo by Paul Watala

The Mbale National Resistance Movement (NRM) vicechairperson, Muhammad Musaga, has lost a home worth over sh700m that the party constructed for his family. The house was constructed for him in appreciation of the family's contribution to the party.

The home contains the main house, guest wing and rental units. It all started when Asuman Masudi, who has been living in South Africa, approached Musaga and asked him to strike a deal in which he would give him his two cars, a BMW and a Mercedes Benz, in exchange for the home.

The cars have South African registration plates. The two agreed and after three days of consultations, Musaga agreed and invited Masudi to visit his home in Malare sub-county, Mbale district. Masudi, in the company of his yet be identified brothers and friends, went to Musaga's home at midnight and convinced him to sign the agreement.

The area LC1 chairperson was invited to help the two strike the deal without the knowledge of Musaga's wife. However, as the deal was about to be completed, Musaga noticed that it was necessary to inform the wife about it. He asked the wife to wake up and take part in signing the documents.

Musaga took advantage of his sleepy wife and told her to sign the documents without giving her the chance to peruse them. He took the two cars and was given sh20m on top of that.

Musaga and the family were given one day to vacate the home, which he did and started renting nearby.

In less than two months, Musaga discovered that the cars Masudi had given him had no proper documents after the BMW was impounded in Iganga on his way to Kampala.

Musaga reported the case to the Police in Mbale and he was advised to start processing proper documents, but he found it was too expensive. He discovered that processing documents for two cars would cost him over sh50m. Musaga's wife, Rehema Musanji, then discovered that the home had not been rented out as her husband had

He told her and reported to the Police, accusing her husband of selling family property. Musanji said she was only told that the home would be rented out for two years and she agreed to append her signature to the documents.

"I was awoken from deep sleep and called into the sitting room where I found my husband with guests. They told me to sign documents, claiming that the home was being rented out. I did not suspect anything more than that," Musanji said.

"The house that Masudi is claiming belongs to the family, not my husband alone. NRM constructed the house in appreciation of the family's contribution to the party. I have nowhere to take my children," she said.

Musanji said she was chased away when she attempted to access her home with children. She has appealed to the Police, NRM secretariat and State House for help.

No longer wants car Musaga admits that they had an agreement with Masudi, but did not know that the cars that were offered had serious issues. He said they agreed that in case any issues arose, he would take back his home.

Musaga also confessed that he did not tell the wife the true story about the house because he feared that she would not consent to the sale. "Masudi lied to me and I no longer want his cars.

My wife has taken me to the Police and the house belongs to family, not me as a person. I have told them to take back their cars and I am ready to pay back their sh20m," Musaga said. Masudi has vowed never to vacate, saying the area LC1 chairperson was a witness and Musanji also appended her signature to the document.

The Police recently deployed at the home to diffuse looming clashes as investigations continue. Mbale district Police commander Steven Ahwera advised the couple to seek court intervention. "We discovered that this house was becoming a source of insecurity as two people are claiming ownership. We have now taken over management," Ahwera said.