Court-annexed mediation in a long-running family succession dispute has hit a deadlock after one of the parties refused to continue with the process unless a High Court judge issues a written apology over alleged disrespectful remarks made during mediation.
Businessman Bunny Wallia says he will not attend any further mediation sessions until Justice Deepa Verma apologises in writing for comments he claims were insulting and inappropriate during proceedings before former Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, who is presiding over Mediation No. 68 of 2025.
In a letter addressed to Justice Buteera, Wallia says he entered the mediation process in good faith, hoping it would provide an opportunity for a respectful and amicable resolution of the dispute.
According to the letter, he felt he was repeatedly addressed in a manner he considered insulting and disrespectful, leaving him distressed and making it difficult to participate meaningfully in the discussions.
Wallia argues that mediation can only succeed when all parties are treated fairly and with dignity, without personal attacks or offensive language. He has therefore requested that no further mediation sessions be convened until Justice Verma issues a written apology and assurances are provided that future proceedings will be conducted respectfully.
Although another mediation session had reportedly been scheduled at the Court of Appeal, Wallia maintains that he will only return after his concerns have been addressed.
Despite the impasse, he says he remains committed to resolving the matter through mediation rather than pursuing prolonged court litigation, provided the process is conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
The dispute centres on the administration of the estate of the late Zura Mama Kasuku.
Court records indicate that Justice Verma applied to the Family Division of the High Court for letters of administration, arguing that the deceased died intestate on August 18, 1999, without leaving a surviving spouse. She contends that, as a granddaughter of the deceased, she is entitled to administer the estate.
The estate is said to comprise several properties in Mbarara City, including land occupied by Manji Memorial Secondary School, property along Karekona Road, land in Kiswahili Cell in Kakoba Division, and Plot 25 at Rwenziringiro Bigere in Isingiro District.
However, Wallia disputes both Justice Verma’s claim to administer the estate and the representations made in support of her application.
The disagreement has since widened beyond the mediation proceedings.
On July 16, 2026, Bunny Wallia, Johnny Wallia, Ronnie Wallia and Jassie Ahluwalia petitioned President Yoweri Museveni, the Inspector General of Government, the Chief Justice and the Principal Judge, seeking investigations into what they describe as irregular, improper and unlawful conduct by Justice Verma in relation to the administration of the estates of the late Zura Mama Kasuku and the late Ahluwalia Gudo.
The petition alleges that Justice Verma and her brother, Jassa Wallia, obtained Certificates of No Objection from the Administrator General within three days of filing their application. The petitioners question the speed with which the certificates were issued and argue that other family members were excluded from the process.
They further contend that Justice Verma’s position as a serving judicial officer raises concerns about whether the dispute can be determined impartially. A separate complaint has also been filed before the Judicial Service Commission.
Justice Verma had not publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication. Efforts to obtain her comment were unsuccessful. Calls made to her known telephone number were answered by a person who said she was presiding over court proceedings and would return the calls, but no response had been received.
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