Celebrated Ugandan actor and playwright Andrew Benon Kibuuka A.K.A Dube Sempata has found himself at the center of a heated legal storm after two women dragged his Kasanje, Wakiso land into a bitter courtroom showdown.
Court documents reveal that Sheila Shemererwa paid money to Sarah Kagonyera to purchase the land. However, the deal collapsed when vacant possession was never handed over, sparking a chain of lawsuits that has now pulled Kibuuka directly into the dispute.
Kibuuka, who is the registered owner of the land, played a key role in the transaction. After the sale failed, he reportedly allowed the same land title to be pledged as security a move that later complicated the case even further.
Shemererwa took both Kagonyera and Kibuuka to the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Mengo, demanding a refund of her money. Kagonyera filed a defence, admitting partial liability and claiming she had already paid Shs7 million, leaving an outstanding Shs8 million balance.
But when the case came up for hearing, neither Kagonyera nor her lawyers appeared in court.
The magistrate proceeded in their absence and issued an ex parte judgment, awarding Shs23 million plus interest and legal costs to Shemererwa.
Kagonyera failed to appeal within the required 30-day window. Months later, she attempted to overturn the judgment, arguing that the land agreements used in court were “extinguished” and that Shemererwa was trying to benefit twice from the same transaction.
Shemererwa’s legal team strongly opposed the move, accusing Kagonyera of delaying tactics and abusing court process.
Presiding judge Justice Isaac Teko dismissed Kagonyera’s application, ruling that she had been properly served and could not deny knowledge of the case.
“Upon admitting that she filed a written statement of defence, the applicant is estopped from denying service,” ruled Justice Teko.
The judge further stated that the trial magistrate had rightly considered both land agreements and found no evidence of any refund to Shemererwa.
In the end, the High Court upheld the Shs23 million decree, sealing Shemererwa’s courtroom victory.
Justice Teko clarified that although Andrew Benon Kibuuka was not part of the appeal, he remains free to file a separate suit if he wishes to recover his land title.
For now, the celebrated actor remains stuck in a land saga that has turned from a simple sale into a full-blown courtroom drama.