A businessman involved in a long-running family property dispute has asked a mediator handling the matter to suspend further sessions until he receives a written apology over what he describes as disrespectful conduct during previous mediation meetings.
Bunny Wallia made the request in a letter addressed to former Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, who is overseeing the court-annexed mediation under Mediation No. 68 of 2025.
The dispute stems from proceedings before the Family Division of the High Court, where Mpigi High Court Judge Deepa Verma petitioned to be granted letters of administration for the estate of the late Zura Mama Kasuku.
Court records indicate that the estate includes several properties in Mbarara City, including land where Manji Memorial School is located, plots along Karekona Road, land in Kiswahili Cell, Kakoba Division, and another property in Isingiro District.
In her petition, Justice Verma states that the deceased died in 1999 without leaving a will and that she, together with Jassa Wallia, as grandchildren of the deceased, should be granted letters of administration.
However, Bunny Wallia and other family members have challenged the application, raising concerns about the administration of the estate and the process followed.
In his letter to Justice Buteera, Wallia said he attended mediation hoping that the matter would be handled in a respectful and peaceful manner. He alleges that some remarks made during the sessions made it difficult for him to participate freely.
Wallia has requested that mediation only resumes after receiving a written apology, saying this would help restore trust and ensure future discussions are conducted respectfully.
He, however, says he remains willing to resolve the dispute through mediation rather than prolonged court proceedings, provided all parties are treated with dignity.
The mediation was expected to continue at the Court of Appeal, but Wallia has maintained that he wants the apology issued before returning to the sessions.
Meanwhile, Wallia, together with other family members, has also petitioned several authorities, including the President, the Inspector General of Government, the Chief Justice, and the Principal Judge, asking them to review concerns they have raised regarding the handling of the estate matters.
A related complaint has also been filed before the Judicial Service Commission.
Justice Deepa Verma had not responded publicly to the allegations by the time of filing this story.
Efforts to get her comment were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone were answered by a person who said the judge was engaged in court proceedings and would return the calls. The calls had not been returned by the time of publication.
