By Felix Oketcho
In 2012 Mukesh Shukla was ranked among Uganda’s richest entrepreneurs owning business worth $100million.
He also made aname among Uganda’s best industrialist manufacturering untensils in the country.
However the once respected business man has turned a fraudster in his dealings uttering false documents to amass properties in Kampala.
Of late Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded businessman-cum politician Mukesh Shukla Babubhai aka Shumuk to Luzira prison for defrauding Mr Shahid Mahmood Alvi, the Managing Director of Japan Auto Ltd, an auto dealer in Kampala shs220million.
Mukesh, the Founder and CEO of Shumuk Aluminum Industries was arraigned before the Nakawa court presided over by Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza on Wednesday who read to him the charges of obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to defraud, contrary to section 309 of the Penal Code Act CAP 120.
Mukesh is facing the charges together with his company manager Ms Judith Ayebare, and Shumuk Group of Companies accountant Kadikar Dharamdip Anilkumar, who were not present in court on the afternoon.
According to the prosecution charge sheet, it is alleged that between November 2020 and November 2021 at around Banda Industrial Area and Nakawa Industrial Area, with intent to defraud, Mukesh obtained USD 27,950 (about 105 million) and over Shs116 million from the managing director of N.S Japan Auto Ltd, Mr Shahid Mahmood Alvi, allegedly leasing/renting him two plots of land, whereas not.
Chief Magistrate Kakooza has remanded Mr Mukesh until May 24, when the state will respond to his bail application. “Since the state has asked for more time to peruse through the case file, the accused is remanded until May 24 when they will respond to his bail application,” Mr Kakooza ruled.
The company’s protracted battles with the Katatumba family, and lately Bank of Baroda, among other financial institutions over property ownership and debt disputes, are so fresh that many Ugandans have become accustomed to them.
Whereas it is difficult to understand the extent of their impact on the company, they have definitely had a toll that will take years to shake off.
And now, recently, Shumuk is yet again engaged in another property battle over a two-acre piece of land in Kampala, Nakawa Industrial Area.
The piece of land under dispute is located on plat 26 on Mukabya Road in Nakawa Industrial Area. It has been the subject of two separate court cases, with the first coming about 25 years ago and another just about three years ago, in 2021.
The company’s protracted battles with the Katatumba family, and lately Bank of Baroda, among other financial institutions over property ownership and debt disputes, are so fresh that many Ugandans have become accustomed to them.
Whereas it is difficult to understand the extent of their impact on the company, they have definitely had a toll that will take years to shake off.
And now, recently, Shumuk is yet again engaged in another property battle over a two-acre piece of land in Kampala, Nakawa Industrial Area.
The piece of land under dispute is located on plat 26 on Mukabya Road in Nakawa Industrial Area. It has been the subject of two separate court cases, with the first coming about 25 years ago and another just about three years ago, in 2021.
In a related case Mukesh was charged in Buganda Road court for uttering a false document in form of a letter for the official handover of Hotel Diplomat Muyenga, purporting the same to have been signed by the late Bonny Katatumba, the former Consular of Uganda to Pakistan and his other family members.
The Administrators of the estate of the late Katatumba led by Angella Katatumba are still fighting for a multibillion property which Shumuk claims to have bought.
Shumuk also claims to have entered into an agreement to sell land, Blacklines House in Kampala and Hotel Diplomat in Muyenga a claim that the Katatumbas protest.
They insist that Shumuk forged their father’s signature which he used to try to grab their father’s estate.
Contraversies in Politics
In March 2021, Mukesh Shukla petitioned court challenging Ssenyonyi’s victory.
In the affidavits Mukesh averred the election process was marred with violence and voter bribery. In May Mukesh amended his petition, introducing other grounds which included among others questioning the MP’s academic documents.
In his ruling, Justice Isaac Muwata declared Ssenyonyi the legitimate MP for Nakawa West on grounds that Mukesh Shukla Mambubai failed to adduce enough evidence. “The petition is hereby dismissed with costs,” the judge ruled.
Following the court ruling, Shumuk said; “On behalf of Nakawa West voters, we congratulate Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi to win the petition No.9 of 2021 for Nakawa West. The sentiments and concerns of the voters in the area towards; Improved focus on Accountable Development Oriented Polices and Transparency of Parliament continues.”
“The struggle remains as an agenda to Parliament and Electoral Commission to reflect voices of wananchi in the representation to contribute in 2026; poverty alleviation program with prosperity for all grassroots residents/Green leadership/human self-esteem and peace remains the focus.”
Ssenyonyi polled 31,653 votes, his closest rival, NRM’s Margaret Zziwa Nantongo came second with 9,450 votes, DP’s Kenneth Paul Kakande garnered posit 2,780 votes, the FDC candidate Wilberforce Kyambadde came fourth with 1,512 votes and the Independent candidate Acer Godfrey Okot 931 votes.
Mukesh came seventh with 806 votes followed by Robert Asiimwe with 668 votes, Christine Gloria Katusiime 479 votes, PPP’s Robert Kasozi 300 votes, Zachariah Isabirye 280, Aisha Wanyama 239 votes and Emmanuel Tebisuula Sserumaga came last with 196 votes.
Who is Mukesh?
Mukesh was born in 1962 in Arua District, West Nile sub region approximately 480 kilometres (298 mi) northwest of Kampala, the country’s capital city.
His father was a revenue officer with the Uganda Revenue Authority from 1959 until 1986. The family has been in the business of aluminum saucepans since 1939.
