Tycoon BMK in sh112m rent row

By Andante Okanya

Tycoon Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige, popularly known as BMK is locked in a row with a city businessman, with allegations that the businessman owes the tycoon sh112m as rent for premises located in the city's prime Ntinda Industrial Area.

In the suit filed on February 21 at the High Court in Kampala, BMK alleges that a one Enock William Makubuya of trading company Polla Plast, has defaulted on payment since April last year for the property described as LRV 2011 Folio 9 Plot M.27. Through Kabugo, Tamale and Company Advocates, BMK wants court to brand Makubuya an intruder.

"The defendant's term expired on March 31, 2012, and his continued stay thereon amounts to trespass," the plaintiff (BMK) states, lamenting that Makubuya's refusal to vacate has caused him gross losses, and an accumulated electricity bill of more than sh155m.

Court documents show that in an agreement executed in January 2010, Kibirige who heads the BMK Group, assigned his property management rights to HRN Business Services Limited. Subsequently, HRN entered into a tenancy agreement with Makubuya for a period of six months renewable once for another term of six months ending December 31, 2011.

Documents also indicate that on expiry of the period, Makubuya who had been served with various notices to terminate his tenancy was granted an extention of three months ending March 31, 2012, within which to vacate. He was also required to remove machinery, and restore the premises to its previous good shape.

BMK, whose business portfolio includes hotel, real estate, construction equipment, motorctcle distributorship, and foreign exchange bureaus, has also sworn an affidavit. He states that upon request for the extention, he agreed to a verbal agreement, and granted Makubuya his wish for the extention, as he (Makubuya) plotted his next course of action.

The tycoon states that he increased rent payable for three months from sh6m to sh10m, and specifically instructed Makubuya to clear the sh155m utility bill.

The court's civil division registrar Eudes Keitirima has ordered  Makubuya to respond to the allegations within 10 days from the date of receipt of the.The businessman has been cautioned to heed, lest BMK obtains a decree for the amount he is claiming in the plaint.

A hearing date is yet to be scheduled.