A prolonged land dispute in the Kampala metropolitan area has been largely settled after the High Court rejected extensive ownership claims made by Peter Musoke Gukiina against businessman Sudhir Ruparelia and Speke Hotel 1996 Limited.

Delivering the ruling, Justice P. Basaza-Wasswa determined that Dr. Gukiina’s legal interest was limited strictly to a single piece of land—Plot 50—and did not extend to the additional parcels he had claimed.

The contested property, located in Kongero in Wakiso District, involved multiple plots under Busiro Block 443. Dr. Gukiina had argued that these parcels were part of his kibanja interest, allegedly linked to Plot 50.

However, the court found that the documentation he presented clearly defined his rights and did not support claims beyond that specific plot.

In her judgment, Justice Basaza-Wasswa emphasized that written agreements carry decisive weight in land matters, dismissing attempts to rely on verbal assertions to expand ownership claims. The court also noted that key witnesses—such as original sellers and previous registered owners—were not called to testify, which significantly weakened the plaintiff’s case.

Additionally, inconsistencies in Dr. Gukiina’s earlier legal filings worked against him. The court observed that his previous disputes only addressed boundary issues between Plot 50 and a neighboring plot, without mentioning the broader claims he later introduced.

On the question of occupancy, the court ruled that Dr. Gukiina did not qualify as either a lawful or bona fide occupant under Uganda’s land laws, effectively dismissing his claims of unlawful eviction and extended ownership.

Despite dismissing most of the suit, the court acknowledged that Speke Hotel 1996 Limited had encroached on a small section of Plot 50. Evidence showed that part of the hotel’s perimeter wall extended into Dr. Gukiina’s land by approximately 0.09 acres.

Rather than ordering the removal of the structure, the court opted for monetary compensation. Dr. Gukiina was awarded Shs66.4 million for the encroached land, along with Shs15 million in general damages. The total amount will accrue interest at an annual rate of 10 percent until it is fully paid.

The decision represents a major win for the Ruparelia-linked company, as it secures their position over the disputed plots while limiting liability to compensation for the minor encroachment.

Legal observers say the ruling reinforces the central role of documented agreements in land transactions and highlights the courts’ cautious approach when dealing with claims that extend beyond clearly established property rights.