By Michael Odeng and Barbra Kabahumuza
The long-awaited verdict on the cancelled controversial coffee deal signed between Government and Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited (UVCC) has been deferred to a date yet to be announced.
The judgement was deferred because Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the Civil Division of the High Court is on leave.
George Kallemera, the commissioner of civil litigation, represents the Attorney General while Gerald Batanda represents UVCC.
Petitioners Henry Byansi and Michael Aboneka are represented by Derrick Tukwasibwe.
In April, this year, Byansi and Aboneka petitioned the High Court, seeking a review and cancellation of the agreement between the Government and UVCC.
The agreement signed on February 10 this year gave the company monopoly to process coffee for export from a factory that would be established on a 27-acre piece of land in Namanve Industrial Park.
In their application, the duo argue that the finance ministry did not follow all legal and administrative processes and make adequate consultations with the Solicitor General, agriculture ministry, Uganda Coffee Development Authority and other related agencies, before signing the agreement.
“The action of the finance minister of secretly handpicking UVCC at the detriment of other able Ugandan firms to singly manage the production, export and setting prices of coffee beans and related products, is illegal,” argue Byansi.
The lawyers purport that giving UVCC priority to supply coffee has a consequence of creating a monopoly through the impugned agreement in violation of anti-trust and laissez-faire, which restricts interference and unfair competition in the economic affairs of individuals and society.
The duo also contend that the act infringes on the right to own property and economic rights of the coffee farmers and traders.
