KAMPALA – Concerns have been raised over how businessman Rugiirwa Katatumba, son of the late businessman Bonney Katatumba, acquired a diplomatic passport despite facing criminal summons.
The controversy erupted after Rugiirwa showcased his diplomatic passport on social media, sparking a wave of public outcry and questions about the legitimacy of his diplomatic status.
The situation has prompted immigration authorities to distance themselves from the issue, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs remaining silent on how the passport was issued under such circumstances.
Adding to the Katatumba family’s legal troubles, they are currently embroiled in a longstanding dispute over the ownership of Hotel Diplomate.
The hotel, located in Muyenga, has been a focal point of a bitter legal battle between the Katatumba family and businessman Mukesh Shukla (Shumuk). Shumuk claims ownership of the hotel, alleging that the Katatumba family failed to honor a sale agreement.
However, the Katatumbas have strongly contested this claim, maintaining that the hotel rightfully belongs to them. The dispute has dragged on in court for several years, with allegations of fraud and forgery on both sides.
Most recently, Shumuk petitioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accusing Ambassador Angella Katatumba of unlawfully occupying Hotel Diplomate and using her diplomatic influence to evade legal accountability. Furthermore, accusations have surfaced that she, along with Pakistan Association of Uganda Chairman, Mr. Mehmood Alvi, conspired to frame charges that led to the arrest of company staff linked to Ms. Auto Ltd.
With the diplomatic passport controversy, ongoing criminal summons, and the unresolved Hotel Diplomate case, the Katatumba family continues to find itself at the center of legal scrutiny. These issues have stirred significant public interest, with calls for deeper investigation into both the criminal and court cases involving the family.
