Pemba dragged to court over sh75m debt

Businessman and socialite Jack Pemba and his partner, Sheba Kassami, have been dragged to the High Court for failure to pay sh75.9m for air tickets they procured on credit from a travel company.

According to the plaint filed by Speedwing Travel Limited, the duo between August and September 2016, jointly procured various air tickets from the travel company worth $36,483 (sh131.8m) on credit.

"The defendants paid only $15,015 (sh54.2m) and left an outstanding balance of $21,015 (sh75.9m) due and owing to the plaintiff," reads part of the suit.

The company through its lawyers from Alaka and Co. Advocates stated that to date, the duo has refused to pay the debt.

The company has also filed an application asking court to issue a warrant of arrest against Pemba and Kassami on grounds that they might sell off their property in Uganda and flee the country.

"The applicant has established that the respondents are likely to dispose of the only known property and leave the local limits of this honourable court before the disposal of the main suit," it stated.

The company said that it has suffered and continues to suffer a financial loss of gainful earnings as a result of Pemba and Kassami's actions.

In response, the civil court registrar has issued summons to the two and asked them to file their defence within 10 days or else the company will be titled to obtain advance for the amount it claims for.