A High Court Judge, Lady Justice Deepa Verma, together with the Administrator General and another family member Jassa Wallia, have been summoned to defend a suit challenging the administration of the estates of the late Zura Mama Kasuku and Ahluwalia Gudo.
The summons require Verma, Administrator General Victor Manzi and Jassa Wallia to file their defence within 15 days before the case proceeds to hearing.
The suit, filed before the High Court Family Division in Kampala, was brought by Bunny Wallia and Ahluwalia Jaspal, who claim to be members of the families of the deceased and say they have legitimate interests in the two estates.
Verma is the second defendant in Civil Suit No. 296 of 2026, in which the plaintiffs are challenging the process through which the Office of the Administrator General issued Certificates of No Objection to Verma and Wallia to administer the estates.
The plaintiffs, through M/s Lukwago, Matovu & Co. Advocates, allege that on June 12, 2026, a family meeting concerning the estates was held under the supervision of the Administrator General but was attended by only four people.
They claim they were neither invited nor notified about the meeting and that other family members and people with an interest in the estates were also excluded.
According to the suit, the Certificates of No Objection were issued three days later, on June 15, in favour of Verma and Wallia.
The estates, which are located in Mbarara City, include property housing Manji Memorial Secondary School.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to establish whether the Administrator General properly verified the circumstances surrounding the estates, including evidence of the deaths, introductory and recommendation letters, and the identities of all beneficiaries.
They also allege that property that does not belong to either estate may have been included as estate property.
Following the issuance of the certificates, Verma and Wallia allegedly commenced administration proceedings in the High Court Family Division under Administration Cause No. 599 of 2026 and Administration Cause No. 600 of 2026.
Bunny and Jaspal say they only learnt about the proceedings around July 10 after notices were published in the New Vision newspaper.
They have also questioned Verma’s involvement, arguing that her position as a serving High Court Judge raises concerns about transparency, disclosure and the appearance of a conflict of interest.
They want the court to establish whether her judicial position was disclosed during the processing of the estate files and whether any official influence or prestige was used in obtaining the Certificates of No Objection.
The plaintiffs have raised allegations of possible fraud and concealment of material information, but have asked the court to determine the claims through examination of the relevant court and Administrator General’s files and evidence from the parties involved.
They fear that the estates could be administered without the participation of lawful beneficiaries and that the properties could be sold, transferred, charged or otherwise dealt with before their interests are determined.
They are seeking orders cancelling the Certificates of No Objection, preserving the estates and stopping Verma and Wallia from dealing with the disputed properties pending determination of the case.
They also want a fresh process undertaken to identify the lawful beneficiaries and persons entitled to administer the estates.
The plaintiffs are further seeking general, aggravated and/or exemplary damages, interest, costs and any other relief the court may grant.
The value of the subject matter is stated to be more than Shs210 million.
The case has been allocated to Judge Celia Nagawa.
