Face Technologies sues Govt
FACE Technologies has dragged the Government to the Commercial Court demanding $23m (about sh37b) as compensation and damages for alleged breach of contract.
By Isaac Baligema
FACE Technologies has dragged the Government to the Commercial Court demanding $23m (about sh37b) as compensation and damages for alleged breach of contract.
The company, contracted to make national identity cards in 2005, accuses the Government of wrongfully terminating its contract.
Last week, the internal affairs minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, said all Ugandans above 18 years would be have national IDs by 2010.
The South African company, through Nangwala & Rezida Advocates, has also filed for a temporary injunction on the National ID project pending the Commercial Court’s decision.
According to the suit documents, the firm claims it spent a lot of funds before the project was suspended in February 2006 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) on orders of the Inspector General of Government (IGG).The firm claims it had started rolling out the project after carrying out a feasibility study .
The project was suspended following a complaint from one of the bidders, Contec Global, which accused UBOS of flouting the laws in awarding the deal to Face Technologies.
It claims it had already invested a lot of time and resources in developing structure for the physical, intellectual and technological progress of the project.
“We have developed an ICT knowledge-based solution whose solution software design, development methodology and architecture was customised to Uganda’s specific needs and cannot be used elsewhere,†the company said.
The company alleges it had also completed the country surveillance in terms of infrastructure and logistics. The Attorney General is expected to file a defence within 14 days.
In the September 22 suit, the company alleges it was the best bidder for the project according to the Government’s specifications. Face Technologies beat 42 other international companies.
FACE Technologies has dragged the Government to the Commercial Court demanding $23m (about sh37b) as compensation and damages for alleged breach of contract.
The company, contracted to make national identity cards in 2005, accuses the Government of wrongfully terminating its contract.
Last week, the internal affairs minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, said all Ugandans above 18 years would be have national IDs by 2010.
The South African company, through Nangwala & Rezida Advocates, has also filed for a temporary injunction on the National ID project pending the Commercial Court’s decision.
According to the suit documents, the firm claims it spent a lot of funds before the project was suspended in February 2006 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) on orders of the Inspector General of Government (IGG).The firm claims it had started rolling out the project after carrying out a feasibility study .
The project was suspended following a complaint from one of the bidders, Contec Global, which accused UBOS of flouting the laws in awarding the deal to Face Technologies.
It claims it had already invested a lot of time and resources in developing structure for the physical, intellectual and technological progress of the project.
“We have developed an ICT knowledge-based solution whose solution software design, development methodology and architecture was customised to Uganda’s specific needs and cannot be used elsewhere,†the company said.
The company alleges it had also completed the country surveillance in terms of infrastructure and logistics. The Attorney General is expected to file a defence within 14 days.
In the September 22 suit, the company alleges it was the best bidder for the project according to the Government’s specifications. Face Technologies beat 42 other international companies.