Prominent Kampala lawfirm, Muwema and Company Advocates has sued its former landlord seeking more than Shs15 billion in damages over what it describes as an illegal eviction from its offices at Plot 50 Windsor Crescent, Kololo, Kampala.
In the suit before the High Court in Kampala, the law firm has listed Downtown Investments( former landlord), its director Paresh Kumar Ratilal Mehta, lawyers Roger Mugabi and Rukia Adam, and enforcers Ahmed Bongo and Fredrick Byatukoreire, the security firm A1 Security Systems Limited, and the Attorney General as defendants.
Muwema says the firm was unlawfully evicted from the premises on March 6, 2026, under what the law firm claims was a fraudulent claim of “re-entry” instead of following the lawful court execution process.
According to the suit, the eviction disrupted the law firm’s operations, damaged its reputation, interfered with confidential client information and resulted in significant financial losses despite occupying the property under a lease-to-purchase agreement running from 2014 to 2026.
The dispute arose in 2021 when the firm exercised its option to purchase the property, leading to a court case filed by the landlord, in 2023, in which the landlord sought rent arrears, vacant possession and eviction.
The High Court later delivered judgment on February 20, 2026, ordering payment of alleged rent arrears, delivery of vacant possession and eviction of the law firm.
However, Muwema & Co Advocates says it was dissatisfied with the decision and filed a notice of appeal together with a request for certified copies of court proceedings on March 23, 2026.
The firm argues that before the appeal process could proceed, it filed a miscellaneous application seeking a stay of execution of the judgment.
Forced Eviction
Muwema says in the suit that on March 6, 2026, three days after filing the application for stay of execution, the landlord, accompanied by lawyers, security personnel and police officers, entered the lawfirm’s offices and supervised what he describes as a “summary and illegal eviction.”
Court documents show that office property, including computers, printers, furniture, communication equipment, security systems, safes, land titles, testamentary documents and confidential client files were removed and loaded onto waiting trucks with no proper inventory of the seized property conducted and that the law firm it did not sign any inventory documents during the process.
Muwema & Co Advocates further alleges that media personnel recorded and published images and videos of the eviction, which it says damaged its reputation and business standing.
The defendants, according to the law firm, claimed they were conducting a “re-entry” exercise and not executing the court judgment.
The law firm contends that the re-entry was unlawful because the landlord had already subjected the dispute to court proceedings and could only obtain possession through the formal execution process provided under the law.
Muwema accuses the defendants of fraudulently misrepresenting the eviction as a re-entry while allegedly relying on a court decree granting vacant possession.
The firm also alleges that the eviction violated the Constitution (Land Evictions) (Practice) Directions, 2021, including failure to issue adequate notice, failure to obtain a warrant of eviction and failure to protect the dignity and property rights of those affected.
The plaintiff further accuses the advocates involved in the eviction of breaching their professional duties as officers of court by participating in what it describes as an unlawful process.
The law firm has also sued the Attorney General over the alleged involvement of the Uganda Police in facilitating and enforcing the eviction.
Muwema & Co Advocates claims police officers participated in the eviction without confirming whether there was a valid eviction warrant and failed in their statutory duty to protect property and maintain law and order.
The firm argues that police involvement amounted to aiding an unlawful eviction.
Muwema says the eviction paralysed its operations for about two months, affecting its ability to serve clients, attend court proceedings and fulfil professional obligations.
It claims some confidential client files were accessed, damaged or lost, resulting in breach of advocate-client privilege.
The plaintiff also claims that $250,000 allegedly kept in a partner’s office safe and Shs37 million kept in another office drawer went missing after the eviction.
The firm estimates its total losses, including office relocation expenses, damaged property, missing funds and lost business, at more than Shs15 billion.
Orders
Muwema has asked court to declare that the eviction from the law firm’s offices was which done under a re-entry, was fraudulent misrepresentation of fact and that it was illegal
“The plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the defendants are liable for tortious interference with the plaintiff’s business operations and relations resulting from the illegal eviction and a declaration that the defendants are liable for business disparagement (trade libel) and business loss resulting from the illegal eviction,” court documents read in part.
Muwema is also seeking a court order for the repayment of $168,000 and shs139.8 million
as costs and expenses connected with the relocation and set up of new offices.
He also wants court to order for payment of $250,000 and shs37 million which he says went missing after the seized office property was returned.
The lawyer also seeks $3,000,000 in compensation for lost business arising from the illegal eviction.
