Kampala | The saga of property disputes involving Shumuk Group and Drake Lubega continues to unfold, capturing public attention with each new development.
Over the years, Shumuk Group has been embroiled in various legal conflicts, notably with the Katatumba family and Bank of Baroda, revolving around property ownership and debt issues.
These disputes have left a lasting impact on the company, raising concerns about its stability and longevity.
In the latest episode, Shumuk Group finds itself entangled in yet another property dispute concerning a two-acre parcel of land located in Kampala’s Nakawa Industrial Area. This land, situated on plat 26 along Mukabya Road, has been the subject of legal contention for decades.
Court records reveal two separate cases related to the disputed land, one dating back approximately 25 years and another initiated in 2021.
Despite its prime location near Spear Motors on Jinja Road and adjacent to commercial establishments like car bonds and warehouses, the land remained largely undeveloped until recent events unfolded.
Recently, construction activity commenced on the disputed land after it was fenced off, sparking controversy over its rightful ownership.
Mukesh Shukla, the CEO of Shumuk Group, denounced what he termed as an illegal occupation and pointed fingers at a rival businessman for orchestrating the takeover.
While Mr. Shukla’s accusations remain unverified, it is known that Middle North Agencies, a subsidiary of Shumuk Group, is currently engaged in a legal battle with Drake Lubega over the land.
Court filings indicate that Middle North Agencies sought legal intervention to protect its interests, securing injunctions to prevent any interference with the property pending resolution of the dispute.
According to court documents, Middle North Agencies acquired the land in 1987 and has maintained ownership since then, obtaining a freehold title from Kampala Capital City Authority in 2015. This legal battle is not the first time Shumuk Group has faced challenges regarding the disputed property.
Previous conflicts involved the late businessman Haruna Semakula, who obtained an alternative lease in 1999, leading to protracted legal proceedings that were eventually settled through a consent agreement.
Despite Semakula’s passing in 2021, disputes over ownership persist, highlighting the complexity and contentious nature of property rights in the region.
Efforts to reach Drake Lubega for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his known phone numbers went unanswered.
