Kampala — The High Court has halted the sale of the land where the Kampala Hilton Hotel is being constructed in Nakasero, pending its ruling slated for November 10.

Justice Yorokamu Bamwine stayed the sale of Aya land aimed at recovering about Shs4.5 billion ($2.5m) to pay for legal services rendered to Aya Investments (U) Limited.

Aya Investments petitioned court seeking to block an earlier court order arising from a May 20 judgment in which Aya Investments was ordered to pay Mr Muzamiru Kibeedi of M/s Kibeedi and Company Advocates fees amounting to $2,075,000 as fees for the services and $373,500 as VAT.

Justice Bamwine delivered a seven day ruling on November 3 in presence of Mr Godfrey Lule, Mr Joseph Balikudembe, Mr Didas Nkurunziza, the lawyers for Aya Investments, while Mr Peter Walubiri represented Mr Kibeedi. Aya Lawyers led by Mr Lule asked court to stop Mr Kibeedi from executing the sale to recover his fees saying it was astronomical legal fees by Mr Kibeedi.

Mr Walubiri did not object to Aya's request but requested the judge grant the stay on condition that Aya deposits a claimed sum of $2.5 m in court as provided for by the law. The application comes after two previous attempts seeking to stay the same order were dismissed by the Registrar Roe Byaruhanga for using wrong laws and procedure.

In October, the High Court ordered bailiffs to sell Aya's immovable property to pay their attorneys who helped secure funding for the construction of Hilton Hotel. The controversial Nakasero land was subsequently advertised for sale upon the same orders.