Company sued over breach of contract

Mar 15, 2011

WHEN Godfrey Korinako Atuheire heard about an entrepreneurial competition with a sh50m grand prize in 2007, he thought of how to recycle used paper.

By CHRIS KIWAWULO

WHEN Godfrey Korinako Atuheire heard about an entrepreneurial competition with a sh50m grand prize in 2007, he thought of how to recycle used paper.

Then in his last year at Makerere University where he was pursuing a Bachelors of science in wood science and technology degree, Atuheire took part in the Commonwealth Finance Solutions (CFS) “Show Me the Money” challenge.

He submitted a proposal on paper recycling and competed with over 8,000 people.

At the end of the challenge, all the judges were convinced with Atuheire’s paper recycling presentation and duly announced him as the overall winner. However, Atuhaire has never got the sh50m.

Feeling cheated, the 28-year-old has taken the matter to court where he is suing CFS for breach of contract.

Atuheire said he had used at least three lawyers whom he suspects were compromised. He has hired yet another lawyer who has assured him that he would pursue the case to its logical conclusion.

In his current civil suit filed through Mpeirwe and company advocates at Mengo magistrate court, Atuheire wants damages amounting to sh50m and any other relief that court deems fit.

Daily Monitor newspaper in partnership with Ezra Track Team Board (ETTB) and CFS organised the challenge which was aired live on Nation Television.

The organisers premised the challenge on harnessing entrepreneurial energy by offering startup capital to anyone who would conceive an original business idea.

At the end of the challenge, a total of sh140m was to be won by seven people. The overall winner, (Atuheire) was to get sh50m, and six other people would get sh15m each.

New Vision has, however, learnt that the six other young entrepreneurs who qualified to get sh15m each have also never received the money.

Asked why he did not include Daily monitor, NTV and ETTB in the suit, Atuheire said Daily Monitor and NTV did publicity for the competition, while ETTB owned by embattled Mike Ezra paid for supplying papers to university students country-wide to vote for the winners.
“All the partners referred me to CFS for my money,” said Atuhaire.

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