Government intervenes in Ben Kiwanuka estate wrangles

By Salmah Namwanje

Government has intervened in a property war between the family of the late Benedicto Kiwanuka and a Kampala businessman accused of demolishing the statesman’s home.

Internal Affairs minister General Jjeje Odongo says government will meet family members and those claiming the estate for an amicable settlement.

The country was taken by surprise late last week after it emerged court brokers had demolished the house of Uganda’s first post-independence Prime Minister Ben Kiwanuka that had been used as security by his family to secure a bank loan.

The home – located in Nalukolongo, Rubaga is also the burial ground of Ben Kiwanuka’s late wife.

The minister said it is unfortunate the family has done this.

‘‘Unfortunately I have arrived after much of the destruction has taken place.’’

Odongo and the state minister for tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi visited the destroyed home, braving an afternoon downpour to inspect the site and make assessment of the situation.

General Odongo later said government had learnt of the unfortunate incident from the media.

Government plans to meet family members and the yet to be disclosed buyer of the land to find a way forward.

‘’Part of the reason why I am here is to do an onsite inspection of what has happened in order to report to the prime minister for government to determine what position we can take regarding what has happened,’’ he said.

Ben Kiwanuka is a founding President of the Democratic Party and is credited with winning Uganda its Independence from Britain. He is believed to have been killed by government soldiers during President Idi Amin’s reign in the 1970s although his remains were never recovered.