The late Karangwa (R) and his widow, Florence Kirabo
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The High Court in Kampala has appointed the late businessman Moses Karangwa’s widow, Florence Kirabo, and his daughter, Jackline Kobusingye Birungi, as joint interim administrators of his expansive multibillion-shilling estate amid an ongoing family dispute over its control and distribution.
In a ruling delivered on October 26, 2026, Justice Lawrence Gidudu appointed the two family members to temporarily oversee the estate as the court considers the substantive issues surrounding its management and inheritance.
The appointment is intended to protect Karangwa’s wealth, preserve his properties and ensure that businesses associated with the estate continue operating as the family members pursue a resolution to their differences.
The decision places the deceased’s widow and daughter at the centre of the temporary administration of the estate, with their responsibilities focused on preventing the deterioration or loss of assets before a final determination of the dispute.
Court Seeks to Protect Estate Assets
Justice Gidudu’s ruling seeks to ensure that the estate remains intact while the legal proceedings continue, preventing valuable properties and other assets from being neglected or wasted during the dispute.
The temporary administrators are expected to safeguard the estate and maintain its operations rather than treat the appointment as a final determination of who should ultimately inherit particular properties.
The case highlights the difficulties that can arise when the distribution and management of a substantial estate become contested among surviving family members.
With potentially significant financial interests at stake, the court’s intervention provides a temporary management arrangement intended to protect the interests of the estate and those entitled to benefit from it.
The appointment does not, by itself, settle the underlying disagreements or determine the final distribution of Karangwa’s wealth.
Widow, Children Entitled to Consideration
In explaining the decision, Justice Gidudu referred to Uganda’s succession law, which recognises the position of a surviving spouse in the administration of a deceased person’s estate.
The judge also addressed the welfare of children who had depended on their father for education, observing that their support should not automatically end when they reach adulthood if the estate has sufficient resources to meet those needs.
The position places emphasis on the responsibility to consider the circumstances of dependants when managing inherited wealth, particularly where education and other essential needs are concerned.
It also underscores the importance of ensuring that the estate is managed in a manner that protects legitimate interests as the court works towards resolving the family’s disagreements.
The ruling comes against the backdrop of reported tensions within Karangwa’s family over access to, and the management of, the deceased businessman’s wealth.
Judge Urges Family to Consider Mediation
Beyond appointing the interim administrators, Justice Gidudu urged the disputing family members to consider engaging a neutral third party to help reconcile their differences.
The suggestion reflects the court’s interest in finding a workable resolution to the dispute, potentially reducing prolonged litigation and the uncertainty that can accompany disagreements over an estate.
A neutral mediator could provide a forum for the family members to discuss their competing concerns, explore possible compromises and reach an agreement on the estate’s future management and distribution.
However, mediation would depend on the willingness of the parties to participate and reach common ground.
The substantive case will determine the outstanding questions surrounding the estate, while the interim appointment is intended to ensure that Karangwa’s properties and business interests remain protected throughout the legal process.
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