Businessman exonerates Mulwana of land grabbing

By Andante Okanya    

 A city businessman Mukalazi Kibuuka has defended industrialist and businessman James Mulwana, saying he did not defraud the widow of former Buganda loyalist Daudi Ochieng, of her land city land.

On Monday, Kibuuka testified at the land division of the High Court in Kampala presided by Justice Percy Tuhaise. Kibuuka and Mulwana, are accused by Emma Namuli Ochieng 60, of illegally acquiring ownership of her land in Kitintale suburbs.

She claims she has owned the disputed 0.75 acre since June 26, 1971.

Kibuuka absolved Mulwana, who was present in court, of any wrongdoing and told court that  Mulwana sold him the contested piece at sh30m, and they agreed that part of the land where  Namuli's house stands, be transferred into her names.

Mulwana has absolved himself of any wrong doing and branded Namuli dishonest. Last week, he said she pleaded with to help secure the land which money lenders had threatened to sell to recover sh30m loan. He described Namuli as a friend.

In 2004, Namuli went to court alleging that she borrowed sh30m from Mulwana to service a loan, and handed him the land title as security.

She claims when she returned the money, a month after borrowing it, two months before the repayment deadline elapsed, Mulwana said he had  sold the property.

Kibuuka narrated that Namuli rushed to sue him and Mulwana, despite numerous efforts to enable her obtain possession of the portion of the land, as directed by Mulwana.

"When the title deeds came out, I called her to come but  she did not come and the next thing I heard  is that she had gone to court and sued us," said Kibuuka

The case was adjourned to July 2.