KAMPALA, Uganda – A long-running dispute over the estate of late Ugandan businessman Ivan Ssemwanga has come to an end after the Family Court approved an amicable settlement between his former partner, Zari Hassan, and members of the Ssemwanga family.
Under the agreement, the estate will belong to Ssemwanga’s children and their mother, Zari Hassan, bringing to a close years of disagreements that followed the businessman’s death in 2017.
The settlement ends a legal battle that had frequently played out in court and on social media, where both sides accused each other of frustrating the administration of the late tycoon’s wealth.
Ivan Ssemwanga, a Ugandan businessman who built much of his business empire in South Africa, died in May 2017 after suffering a stroke. He left behind a sizeable estate that included schools, real estate and other investments, as well as three sons with Ugandan-born businesswoman and reality television personality Zari Hassan.
Soon after his death, family members agreed that Zari Hassan would be among the administrators responsible for safeguarding parts of the estate, particularly the South African properties and schools, until the children came of age.
However, disagreements later emerged over the management and ownership of the assets.
The dispute intensified in 2024 when Zari publicly accused some of her late partner’s relatives of attempting to deprive her children of their inheritance.
Members of the Ssemwanga family, in turn, made allegations against her over the management of the estate, leading to fresh legal proceedings and public exchanges.
According to our reporters, the matter has now been resolved through an amicable agreement reached between Zari Hassan and Ivan Ssemwanga’s brothers before the Family Court.
The agreement provides that the late businessman’s estate will belong to his children and their mother, effectively ending the inheritance dispute without further litigation.
The settlement also means the parties have agreed to resolve their differences peacefully, avoiding what could have been a prolonged court battle.
While the financial terms of the agreement have not been made public, reports indicate that both sides accepted the settlement voluntarily, allowing the court process to conclude.
The decision brings legal certainty to one of Uganda’s most closely followed inheritance disputes involving a public figure.
Inheritance disputes involving high-value estates often take years to resolve and can affect the administration of businesses, property and beneficiaries’ rights. By reaching a negotiated settlement, the parties have avoided further legal costs and uncertainty while prioritising the welfare of the children.
The outcome also underscores the role of mediation and negotiated settlements in resolving family disputes, particularly where children stand to benefit from preserving family relationships.
With the dispute now settled, attention is expected to shift from hearing to the long-term management of the estate for the benefit of Ssemwanga’s children.
Neither Zari Hassan nor members of the Ssemwanga family had publicly commented in detail on the terms of the agreement at the time of publication.
The settlement closes a chapter that began with Ivan Ssemwanga’s death nearly a decade ago and has remained one of Uganda’s most high-profile inheritance disputes.