In Summary: The High Court in Kampala has issued interim orders freezing dealings in the estate of former Bank of Uganda Governor Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile and restricting the confinement of his son, Duncan Tumusiime Mutebile, in psychiatric facilities pending determination of an ongoing legal dispute.
Kampala, Uganda — The High Court’s Family Division in Kampala has frozen dealings in the estate of former Bank of Uganda Governor Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile as a family dispute over its administration intensifies, while issuing separate orders restricting the confinement of his son, Duncan Tumusiime Mutebile, in psychiatric or mental health facilities.
The interim directives, issued on October 27, 2026, by Deputy Registrar Suzanne Aisia Musooli, are intended to preserve the deceased governor’s assets and safeguard Duncan’s welfare as court proceedings continue.
The orders arose from Miscellaneous Application No. 4668 of 2026, filed against Betty Tumusiime Mutebile and David Kyomukama Mutebile, whom court records identify as administrators of the estate.
Under the ruling, the administrators, their agents and anyone acting under their authority are prohibited from selling, transferring, leasing, mortgaging, charging or otherwise disposing of or encumbering any property belonging to the estate.
The court also barred them from operating, withdrawing money from, transferring funds out of or otherwise dealing with a Bank of Baroda account held in the late governor’s name.
The restrictions are intended to preserve the estate’s assets and financial resources until the court determines the issues raised in the ongoing dispute.
The latest development follows a challenge by Duncan to the administration of his father’s estate, with allegations that some assets were concealed or transferred irregularly.
However, the administrators have disputed aspects of his claims, including his asserted parentage and the validity of a power of attorney executed on his behalf.
Court restricts psychiatric confinement
In a separate directive, the court restrained the respondents and anyone acting under their authority from causing, authorising or facilitating Duncan’s detention, admission or confinement in any psychiatric or mental health institution pending determination of the substantive application.
The order places restrictions on any attempt to institutionalise him while the court considers the application and the circumstances surrounding his welfare.
The court further directed Duncan’s lawful attorneys to ensure that he receives appropriate medical care and attention and to identify a suitable caregiver with whom he is comfortable.
The directive comes amid contested claims about Duncan’s mental capacity and allegations by his representatives that he had previously been confined in psychiatric facilities against his wishes in an attempt to frustrate his efforts to challenge the administration of the estate.
His representatives have disputed assertions that he lacked the mental capacity to execute the power of attorney, pointing to a psychiatric assessment conducted at Kira Health Centre IV in September 2026.
The competing positions on his mental capacity, parentage and the validity of the legal authority under which his interests are being represented remain among the issues surrounding the dispute.
The interim orders do not amount to a final determination of the ownership or distribution of the estate, nor do they resolve the contested claims concerning Duncan’s capacity and parentage.
Mutebile’s legacy and estate dispute
Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile served as Governor of the Bank of Uganda for approximately two decades, becoming one of the country’s longest-serving central bank governors.
He died in January 2022, leaving behind an estate whose administration is now the subject of proceedings before the High Court.
The latest intervention by the Family Division places temporary restrictions on the handling of the estate’s assets and the treatment of Duncan as the court considers the outstanding legal questions.
The substantive application is expected to determine the issues raised by the parties and provide further direction on the administration of the former governor’s estate.
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