The Uganda National Roads Authority has filed a Suit in the Commercial Court, against the businessman Apollo Ssenkeeto who is said to be behind the American Construction Company- Eutaw that defrauded Government of over 24billion shillings in the Mukono – Katosi road saga.
The Authority through its Directorate of Legal Services, UNRA seeks orders compelling Ssenkeeto to refund 18.6billion shillings including the damages.
In its application, UNRA pointed out that it is entitled to recover the said money having paid 24billion shillings, and only received works for 6 billion shillings from a Chinese Company, that Eutaw sub-contracted to do the work.
The dispute between Eutaw and UNRA began on 15th/November 2013 after the two signed a contract for the upgrade Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi road.
The Authority then paid 24Billion shillings in advance, on Apollo Senkeeto’s account at Housing Finance Bank which he managed with his co-defendants to this matter, Micheal Olvey and Niu Hong.
After receiving the payment, EUTAW then sub-contracted a Chinese company CICO Construction Corporation on 14/July/2014 to tarmac the road.
On landing into this deal, UNRA discovered that it had been conned by signing a contract with a dubious road construction firm.
It was later revealed that sub contractor had done construction works worth 6. 1bn shillings
Senkeeto is jointly charged before the Anti-corruption court with the former Works Minister Abraham Byandala and UNRA Officials for causing government a loss of 24.7billion shillings, when they used their offices to influence the issuance of the contract to carry on civil works on the Katosi road to an incompetent company.
Commercial Court Registrar Thadeus Opesen has also issued summons giving Apollo Senkeeto, Timothy McCoy, Richard Pratt, Michael Olvey, Niu Hong and Eutaw Construction company only 15 days to file their defense before Justice David Wangutusi can commence with the hearing of this case.