Gulu City garbage truck impounded over Shs 40mln debt

GULU-Court bailiffs in Gulu days ago impounded the garbage truck belonging to Gulu City Council over Shs 40 million compensation that court said the city should pay for causing damage to the property of a local businessman James Otim.

Jed Court Bailiffs and Auctioneers personnel stormed council offices last Wednesday afternoon and impounded a garbage truck, claiming the council has defaulted on payment arising from a court order that favoured their client Otim.

In 2013, Otim a resident of Pece-Laroo Division sued Gulu City Council for trespass after the authorities forcefully entered his land and destroyed property worth Shs 20mln, including a salon as they opened a new road.

The matter was concluded on February 8, 2018, before Gulu Magistrate Court presided by Magistrate Grade One Julius Mwesigye.

In his ruling, the magistrate noted that the council did not duly follow the necessary legal procedure which led to the destruction of property.

The Court however awarded the plaintiff Shs 20mln for damage caused with 20 percent annual interest which accrued to Shs 40mln on Wednesday when the truck was impounded.

The plaintiff however told this reporter that he had attempted several times to access his compensation but the council has been reluctant to pay him.

The executive Director Jed Court Bailiffs and Auctioneers  Jennet Aciro told this reporter in an interview that the truck will be auctioned after 15 days should the council fail to pay their client.

She revealed that the council has also defaulted to pay Shs 184mln from another court ruling adding that a number of properties have been attached to recover the cost.

However, Alfred Okwonga, the Gulu City mayor told this reporter that the council is battling to pay off costs arising from the multiple court cases, which he said are affecting service delivery.

The council has to pay over Shs 2 billion from the ruling that dates back to 2011 in which several of its properties have been attached.

The truck impounded has been parked at Jed Court Bailiffs and Auctioneers along Pece Commercial Road in Laroo-Pece Division.

https://thecooperator.news/lands-ministry-gives-two-trucks-to-gulu-city-for-garbage-collection/

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