A family dispute over the multibillion-shilling estate left behind by the late National Resistance Movement (NRM) Kayunga District Chairperson, Moses Kariisa Karangwa, has taken a new turn following the reported intervention of Gen Salim Saleh.
Karangwa, who also served as a Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Duties, died on May 17, 2026, following a road accident along the Kayunga–Jinja highway. He was 57.
His death left behind a sizeable estate, including land, commercial properties and business interests believed to be worth billions of shillings. However, months after his burial, disagreements among family members over the estate have reportedly intensified.
The dispute is said to revolve around several issues, including the existence and authenticity of a will, ownership of some of the properties and who should take responsibility for administering the estate.
People familiar with the matter say the disagreements have created tension within the family and could eventually lead to lengthy legal battles if they are not resolved.
At Karangwa’s burial in Kayunga, government officials and NRM leaders appealed to the family to remain united and safeguard the late leader’s legacy. Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda, who delivered a message from President Yoweri Museveni, was among those who called for unity.
Despite those appeals, the disagreements are understood to have continued.
It is against this background that Gen Salim Saleh is reportedly stepping in to help the family find common ground. Sources say the General has held private discussions with some of the key family members as part of efforts to calm tensions and encourage an amicable settlement.
His intervention is reportedly centred on dialogue, transparency in identifying and accounting for the estate’s assets, and finding a solution that can protect both the family’s interests and Karangwa’s legacy.
Karangwa was a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in NRM circles. Supporters regarded him as a committed grassroots mobiliser who was willing to use his personal resources to support party activities.
During his lifetime, he also faced accusations linked to land disputes in Kayunga and other areas—allegations he denied and described as politically motivated.
With the estate now at the centre of a family dispute, attention has shifted to whether the reported mediation can prevent the matter from escalating into a public and potentially costly legal battle.
Neither the Karangwa family nor Gen Saleh’s office has, so far, publicly confirmed the reported mediation efforts.
For now, the focus remains on whether the family can put aside its differences, agree on how the estate should be managed and preserve the legacy of a man who remained a significant figure in Kayunga’s political landscape.
