UNRA SUED OVER RUKUNGIRI–KANUNGU ROAD

BY VANANSIO KAKOGOSO

IN KABALE—-
High court in Kabale district has today begun the hearing of the case
in which Uganda National Roads Authority challenged the interim order
that was issued by the Kabale deputy registrar Samuel Emokor to halt
the awarding of the construction works on
Rukungiri-Kihiihi-Kanungu-Ishasha road to Zhongmei Engineering Group
Ltd.
On 14th march 2017 a  group of 7 people  Muhoozi Grace, Gumisiriza
Jeremiah, Bagabo Shafique, Wednesday Lauben, Kamukama David,  Abigaba
Robert and Ainebyoona Godi obtained an interim court order from High
Court registrar in Kabale stopping further bidding process of awarding
the contract to Zhongmei Engineering Group Ltd up to 3rd April 2017,
when their petition is heard in court as they had  petitioned court
demanding that Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA)  and Public
Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets should be restrained from
going ahead with the bidding process claiming that parliament had
blacklisted the company.
The Director of legal services in the Uganda National Roads Authority
(UNRA) Henry Muhangi who represent the organization in his submission
told court that the procurement process for the
Rukungiri-Kihihi-Ishaka-Kanungu road is being conducted in strict
adherence to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act
and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Regulations
He added that the application is speculative and premature in as far
as there is no decision taken by a competent Government Office or
Authority (PPDA) to suspend or not Zhongmei Engineering Group Ltd
saying that there is a clear procedure under the Public Procurement
and Disposal of Public Assets Act. He also told court that they have
not received any notification or decision from the Parliament or the
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority stopping
dealings with Zhongmei Engineering Group Ltd.
The lawyers of the applicants Barya Byamugisha of Barya Byamugisha and
company advocates asked court to quash the interim order with costs
since the main suit will be heard on 3rd April and it is wasting court
time.
Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe then told court that he needs a lot of
time to internalize the application as he then told court that interim
order is still on till he gives his ruling on the case.
The Rujumbura County MP Fred Tumuheirwe Turyamuhweza says that it’s
only in Rukungiri and Kanungu the only area that has borders with
neighboring countries that don’t have a tarmac road. He added that as
leaders they want the road tarmaced irrespective who is contracted to do
the job

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