Barigye battles widow in land row
May 05, 2010
ANKOLE Kingdom prince John Barigye appeared in court on Tuesday over a land row, where his cousin’s widow is accusing him of land-grabbing.
By Fred Turyakira
ANKOLE Kingdom prince John Barigye appeared in court on Tuesday over a land row, where his cousin’s widow is accusing him of land-grabbing.
Early this year, Prince Barigye dragged Miriel Katanga Kyobuhooro, the wife of his late cousin Arthur Katanga, to court, accusing her of putting a caveat on his 50 acres of land. The land is located near his palace in Kaliro, Rubindi on Mbarara-Ibanda Road.
Both Barigye and Kyobuhooro testified in Mbarara High Court, presided over by Justice Lawrence Gidudu.
The 84-year-old Kyobuhooro told court that Barigye wants her to vacate the land, which her late husband acquired as a gift from his uncle, Sir Charles Gasyonga, the Omugabe of Ankole Kingdom. Barigye is the son and heir to Gasyonga.
“I found my husband on that land in 1947, when I got married to him. All these years, we have lived on the land without any interference. I was shocked when Barigye stopped me from accessing it after the death of my husband,†Kyobuhooro said.
The two were in court with their witnesses and relatives. Barigye, who sat in the front row, occasionally threw glances at Kyobuhooro.
Kyobuhooro also said her husband and all their children were buried on the contested land.
Kyobuhooro said she put a caveat on the land to stop Barigye from using it because he wanted to steal it.
Kyobuhooro, who is represented by Denis Kwizera, told court that Barigye wants to take her land because he thinks she is too old to follow up the case.
Barigye’s lawyers, Kahungu Tibayeita and Kwemera Kafuzi, told court that their client does not plan to chase Kyobuhooro away from the land, but to limit her access to only that piece of land where she settled with her family. Barigye is opposed to Kyobuhooro’s claim of 50 acres.
The Prince’s lawyers said Kyobuhooro and her husband never owned the land and that Gasyonga looked after the couple and their children. The case was adjourned to June 25.
ANKOLE Kingdom prince John Barigye appeared in court on Tuesday over a land row, where his cousin’s widow is accusing him of land-grabbing.
Early this year, Prince Barigye dragged Miriel Katanga Kyobuhooro, the wife of his late cousin Arthur Katanga, to court, accusing her of putting a caveat on his 50 acres of land. The land is located near his palace in Kaliro, Rubindi on Mbarara-Ibanda Road.
Both Barigye and Kyobuhooro testified in Mbarara High Court, presided over by Justice Lawrence Gidudu.
The 84-year-old Kyobuhooro told court that Barigye wants her to vacate the land, which her late husband acquired as a gift from his uncle, Sir Charles Gasyonga, the Omugabe of Ankole Kingdom. Barigye is the son and heir to Gasyonga.
“I found my husband on that land in 1947, when I got married to him. All these years, we have lived on the land without any interference. I was shocked when Barigye stopped me from accessing it after the death of my husband,†Kyobuhooro said.
The two were in court with their witnesses and relatives. Barigye, who sat in the front row, occasionally threw glances at Kyobuhooro.
Kyobuhooro also said her husband and all their children were buried on the contested land.
Kyobuhooro said she put a caveat on the land to stop Barigye from using it because he wanted to steal it.
Kyobuhooro, who is represented by Denis Kwizera, told court that Barigye wants to take her land because he thinks she is too old to follow up the case.
Barigye’s lawyers, Kahungu Tibayeita and Kwemera Kafuzi, told court that their client does not plan to chase Kyobuhooro away from the land, but to limit her access to only that piece of land where she settled with her family. Barigye is opposed to Kyobuhooro’s claim of 50 acres.
The Prince’s lawyers said Kyobuhooro and her husband never owned the land and that Gasyonga looked after the couple and their children. The case was adjourned to June 25.