Why court ordered Bitature to pay sh950m to architectural firm

While Bitature argued that Finicon was not registered as an architectural firm and questioned the professional status of some of the company’s directors at the time the work was undertaken, the judge held that the Architects Registration Act does not prohibit a corporation from contracting to provide architectural services, provided the actual professional work is executed and supervised by a registered and licensed architect exercising independent professional judgement.

Court documents indicate that on July 6, 2012, Bitature (Pictured) procured Finicon (U) Limited to provide professional consultancy services necessary for the construction of a high-end boutique hotel along Summit View Road, atop Kololo Hill in Kampala, entailing an investment value estimated at approximately $6m (about sh22b).