Clean And Clear! How High Court Found no Merit in Criminal Case Against Land and Property Lawyer Felix Kintu Nteza Before Terminating Its Proceedings

KAMPALA, Uganda: Seasoned lawyer Felix Kintu Nteza of Kintu Nteza and Co. Advocates can finally breathe a sigh of relief as justice has been delivered in his favor. The High Court in Kampala, under the wise ruling of Justice Isaac Muwata, earlier this week found no merit in the criminal proceedings against Nteza, as reported by The Investigator.

Nteza, known for his tireless efforts in defending the rights of land and property owners against land grabbers in Uganda, has been facing a lengthy legal battle. This battle put his impeccable reputation and that of his esteemed law firm on the line, all thanks to what he refers to as “mafias” in the area.

The principal witness and complainant, Aidah Nakachwa, had accused Nteza of defrauding her. However, the High Court ruling now clears Nteza of any wrongdoing in the matter. Nteza has always maintained that he was merely doing his job, facilitating a legitimate land transaction between two parties.

The disputed land transaction in question involved Interlink Educational Services Uganda Limited (the buyers) and the beneficiaries of the Late Kamya’s estate, led by Abdul Ssewava (the sellers/vendors). Nteza, as an experienced land and property lawyer, was acting on behalf of the sellers.

The sale agreement between the parties was prepared by the lawyers representing Interlink Educational Services. It was a legitimate transaction, with the sellers legally transferring their interest in the land/estate of the late George Kamya. Nteza, not being a party to the transaction, was wrongfully accused of obtaining money by false pretenses.

Nteza taking this writer through the court ruling at his office on E-Towers along Kampala Road

Justice Muwata’s ruling described the case in the lower court as an abuse of the court process and stayed the criminal proceedings, emphasizing that the pending civil dispute would determine who should refund the disputed sum of Shs195 million. Moreover, Justice Muwata noted that continuing the case in the lower court would prejudice Nteza, who served as the lawyer for both the vendors in the disputed land transaction and the vendors in the High Court case.

The High Court ruling followed an application by Nteza’s lawyers from Muwema and Co. Advocates, challenging his trial at Buganda Road Court. The charges in the lower court stemmed from the alleged land transaction between the beneficiaries of the late George Kamya’s estate and Interlink Education Services, who claimed Nteza fraudulently obtained Shs195 million.

However, the court documents showed that the directors of Interlink had filed the complaint in 2022 after Nteza refused to compel his clients, led by Abdul Sewaya, to refund the money. Nteza had only provided legal counsel to the sellers, and the transaction was subsequently concluded without his further involvement.

With a pending civil case against the vendors, in which Nteza is co-accused, he remains optimistic that justice will ultimately prevail for him. Justice Muwata’s advice to rely on the facts of the case is a testament to his confidence that the truth will emerge, just as it did in the High Court.

Nteza (R) being off this writer after the interview at his office

In 2014, Interlink Education Services sued 13 beneficiaries of the late Kamya’s estate for breaching the sales agreement by failing to provide a land title and remove squatters from the disputed land. Nteza was accused of not advising his clients to fulfill the sale agreement.

Despite the legal battle, Aidah Nakachwa, the principal witness, reportedly proposed a settlement in a letter dated April 20, 2023. Surprisingly, the letter did not demand a refund of the disputed Shs195 million but requested that Nteza disclose other pieces of land owned by his clients to withdraw the criminal case. Nteza and his lawyers rejected the proposal, maintaining that the charge against him was malicious and an abuse of due process.

The case has taken an intriguing turn with the revelation of a marital dispute between Nakachwa and Nsubuga Jimson, who she claims to be her husband. Nsubuga and Nakachwa had separated, and Nakachwa’s claims of their relationship seemed to be motivated by an attempt to gain control of Nsubuga’s property.

In 2022, Nsubuga returned from the United States to Uganda to address the land issue and sought the assistance of the Anti-Corruption Unit. The unit, led by Chairman Stanley Eloku, decided to withdraw the criminal case against Nteza after finding it based on falsehoods and resolved to pursue the civil suit.

Nsubuga’s revelation that he was no longer married to Nakachwa shocked the officials present, further complicating the case. As the legal battle continues, all parties eagerly await the court’s final judgment, with the hope that justice will ultimately prevail.

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Daniels N Tatya: Mr. Daniels N. Tatya is an affluent Sports Writer, Commentator and Editor. His over 15 years of covering almost major sporting events makes him a revered and an authority on investigative Sports journalism in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected] +256(0)758268315