The Namanve Industrial Park, situated in the heart of Uganda, has become the center of a protracted and contentious legal battle attracting the attention of investors and government officials alike. At the center of the dispute is Andrew Mubiru, a private citizen reportedly acting on behalf of businessman Godfrey Kirumira, who has persistently challenged the legality of land titles issued to investors in the park. Despite two High Court rulings favoring the investors, Mubiru continues to pursue legal action, now escalating the matter to the Court of Appeal.
The industrial park spans thousands of acres and hosts numerous large-scale businesses. Investors were drawn to the area for its strategic location and economic potential. However, Mubiru’s repeated legal challenges have cast uncertainty over their plans, causing frustration among those who have invested billions of shillings into the park. In June 2024, High Court Judge David Matovu dismissed Mubiru’s case, stating that his claims to cancel investors’ land titles lacked merit. Despite this clear legal victory, Mubiru has refused to relent and has now moved the matter to the Court of Appeal.
Recently, the Court of Appeal’s registrar issued a directive for the 17 respondents, including government agencies and investors, to prepare submissions, file, and serve Mubiru by August 25, 2025. Any rejoinder must be filed by September 11, 2025, and an inter-parties conference has been scheduled for September 18, 2025, at 10:00 am. This directive came during the court vacation—a period usually reserved for urgent matters—prompting concerns about the registrar’s motives, especially given that judges resumed normal duties on August 15, 2025.
One key issue in the dispute is Mubiru’s questionable legal standing. Experts have questioned why he continues to pursue a case in which he has no direct stake, particularly since the land in question is not part of a wetland or forest reserve, as he previously claimed. Investors argue that Mubiru’s actions are part of a personal vendetta to benefit Kirumira, who also claims ownership of portions of the park. They are now demanding that Mubiru be held accountable for the legal costs they have incurred as a result of his continued appeals.
The timing of the Court of Appeal’s memo and the tight deadlines for submissions have raised suspicions among investors and legal teams. The abrupt nature of the directive, combined with Mubiru’s persistence, has sparked fears that the registrar may be facilitating the case for reasons that remain unclear. Investors are preparing for a potential showdown in court but insist that Mubiru should cover the legal fees they have already incurred before any further proceedings.
As the case moves forward, investors are calling for a swift resolution that will end Mubiru’s relentless litigation and allow them to focus on developing the industrial park. They are also urging the court to impose financial penalties on Mubiru to discourage further frivolous lawsuits, emphasizing the billions of shillings at stake and the potential impact on Uganda’s broader economic growth.
