By Spy Uganda
A fierce inheritance battle has erupted at the heart of one of Kampala’s most prominent business empires, with the son of city tycoon Mohan Kiwanuka taking bold steps to seize control of his father’s multi-billion-shilling estate — a move that’s shaken operations across several key assets, including two of Uganda’s most popular radio stations.
Jordan Ssebuliba, the eldest son of the renowned businessman and lawyer, has launched what insiders describe as a determined takeover bid following a recent court ruling declaring Mohan mentally unfit due to deteriorating health and recurring memory loss. The legal pronouncement, which classified Kiwanuka as an adult of unsound mind, opened the door for Jordan to stake claim to the management of his father’s vast properties.
At the center of this dramatic turn is Maria Kiwanuka, Mohan’s wife and a former Finance Minister, who has for years held a key managerial role within her husband’s business network — which includes Radio One and Radio Two (Akaboozi), several high-end real estate assets under Visa Investments Ltd, and once even Oscar Industries, a company known for printing materials during President Museveni’s campaign seasons.
Sources close to the family say Jordan’s bid has not only unsettled staff at the radio stations but has also ignited deep tensions within the extended Kiwanuka family. Backed by his biological mother and paternal aunts, Ssebuliba has accused Maria of monopolizing control of his father’s wealth and limiting access to him — an allegation reportedly fueling divisions within the clan.
In a bold move, Jordan is said to have physically presented himself at the media houses and commercial buildings, instructing staff and tenants to recognize him as the new administrator of the empire. In response, Maria Kiwanuka and her legal team have moved to place “Caveat Emptor” notices in national newspapers, warning the public and business partners against dealing with Jordan.
“This is an internal family matter, but the stakes are enormous,” noted a legal analyst familiar with the case. “We’re talking about some of Kampala’s most valuable properties, including diplomatic rentals in Kololo.”
The disputed estate includes over 20 residential and commercial properties, many of them occupied by embassies and corporate tenants, making the family standoff not just a domestic issue but a matter of commercial interest to several stakeholders.
Observers say the unfolding saga could set a legal precedent in Uganda’s property inheritance landscape, especially when it comes to competency, control, and succession planning in high-net-worth families.
While the Kiwanuka empire remains functional, the air of uncertainty around its future leadership is likely to continue drawing public and media attention in the weeks ahead.
