By Edward Anyoli
The Civil Division of the High Court has ordered the Uganda Development Coffee Authority (UCDA) to pay sh193m to coffee farmers in Tingey County in Kapchorwa District for breach of contract.
High Court Judge Boniface Wamala on October 13, 2023, ordered UCDA to pay 23 coffee farmers.
“The plaintiffs’ suit has largely succeeded. The plaintiffs are, therefore entitled to the costs of the suit and the same are awarded to the plaintiffs. Sh193,125,000m is awarded to the plaintiffs being the total outstanding sum owed to the plaintiffs,” Wamala said in his ruling.
The farmers argued that they suffered inconveniences owing to the non-payment of their money.
Court documents show that the farmers in 2014 were contracted by Uganda Development Coffee Authority to supply coffee seedlings to farmers in Tingey County between the months of May to September 2014.
The payment was supposed to be made within 60 days from the date of delivery. The farmers were, however, not paid despite several reminders.
Judge Wamala agreed with the farmers, saying the Uganda Development Coffee Authority acted unfairly.
“I find this an escapist approach on the part of the defendant. The defendant cannot expect the plaintiffs, who are lay nursery operators, to organise the running of the defendant’s office in Kapchorwa or Mbale. In any case, once there is proof that the delivery was made in the agreed manner, the plaintiffs are entitled to payment. The allegations regarding the conduct of the plaintiffs at the particular stage can be investigated,” Wamala ruled.
