All is not well at the telecom giants MTN Uganda that is set to lose up to Ugx 0.526 billion over trespass.
Mtn will lose half a billion shillings (Ugx 526,915,000) to former Deputy Inspector General of Police Julius Peter Odwe for trespass on his land in Lira.
Odwe won a case against MTN Uganda after he proved that the telecom company with his knowledge and consent laid its fiber cables underground across his land, an act that frustrated his plans to expand housing structures he had planned.
The Lira Resident Judge Duncan Gaswaga agreed with Odwe whose lawyers Quirinus Oyugi Onono argued that the company occasioned them grave interruption in his development plans by the activity.
Gaswaga ruled that “MTN continued to trespass, making money and ignored the land owner with impunity. They instead went to court to block payment of all debts amounting to Ugx526,915,000.”
Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge CEO MTN Uganda
The ruling puts to an end a legal battle that has been on since 2012.
“The application lacks the merits and is hereby dismissed with costs. The court declines to set aside the Garnishee Order nisi issued in Miscellaneous Application no 123 of 2022,” he ruled.
Justice Duncan also awarded the former deputy IGP Ugx300 million with interest at 23 per cent from the time of the judgement till full payment.
Sources at the company told #smlnewsug that the company was preparing to pay the money as per the court order.