Mediation over land dispute fails

9 July 2026, 9:27 am

By Jonex Babulya.

One of the parties declines to participate in court sitting citing security concerns.

A court-directed mediation meeting intended to resolve a longstanding land dispute between Mr. Augustine Shaka and Babughe Trading Company Limited failed to take place yesterday after one of the parties declined to participate, citing security concerns.

The mediation, which was scheduled to be chaired by the Rwenzori East Community Liaison Officer, SP Thomas Kamunsime, at the disputed land near Asaaba Mudaki Market, close to the Kasese Main Roundabout, followed guidance issued by Court of Appeal mediator Her Worship Zulaika Nanteza on June 8, 2026.

Counsel Geoffrey Michelle of Spero Advocates, representing Babughe Trading Company Limited, said the Court of Appeal mediator had directed both parties to meet at the contested property on July 7, 2026, to explore the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.

Court records indicate that the land dispute originated in the lower courts in 2003 before eventually reaching the Court of Appeal. Efforts to obtain a comment from Mr. Augustine Shaka were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to repeated phone calls seeking his response by press time.