Luwero maize traders have returned to PRO Industries Limited in Ndibuluungi, demanding payment of about Shs2.6 billion for maize they say they supplied to the company, despite a court order restricting access to the factory.
The produce dealers have parked their trucks at the factory entrance in protest, demanding payment for hundreds of tonnes of maize they claim to have supplied but for which they have not been paid.
The traders say they will not leave the factory premises until the payment dispute is resolved.
The High Court in Luwero previously issued an interim order restraining the traders from trespassing on or interfering with the operations of PRO Industries.
The order, issued by High Court Judge Godfrey Himbaza, bars Lim Welo General Stores, its director Isma Mubiru, their agents, employees and anyone acting on their instructions from accessing or obstructing the company’s premises pending the hearing of the case.
Despite the order, the traders have returned to the factory, saying they will continue demanding payment until the dispute is resolved.
PRO Industries has rejected the Shs2.6 billion claim, saying a review of the supplier’s records identified material discrepancies and inflated figures.
The company also alleges that its weighbridge staff were threatened and pressured in an attempt to manipulate records used to determine the quantity of maize delivered and the amount payable.
“Our review identified inflated figures in the supplier’s statement, and we have received evidence concerning threats made to our weighbridge personnel in an attempt to manipulate records,” said Vasundhara Oswal, Founder and Executive Director of PRO Industries.
The traders have rejected the company’s allegations as false and vowed to continue their protest until they receive payment and what they consider to be justice.
PRO Industries says it had previously invited the supplier to reconciliation meetings and proposed an arrangement under which 50 percent of the undisputed amount would be paid immediately, with the balance settled after reconciliation.
However, the company maintains that no legitimate outstanding amount has been established as payable. It says it will not make payments based on records it considers inflated or manipulated.
“If somebody has a genuine claim, they should prove it through genuine records,” Oswal said. “We will always pay what is legitimately due, but we will never knowingly pay against inflated, fraudulent or manipulated records.”
The traders continue to dispute the company’s position and have vowed to maintain their protest until their claim is addressed and the payment dispute is resolved.
