Akright in dispute with US-based client
Jan 12, 2009
AKRIGHT Projects, a real estates firm, is embroiled in a dispute with a client who accuses the company of doing sub-standard work and breach of contract.
By Raymond Baguma
AKRIGHT Projects, a real estates firm, is embroiled in a dispute with a client who accuses the company of doing sub-standard work and breach of contract.
Elaine Matama, a Ugandan living in Minnesota, US also complained that when she telephones the management of Akright to raise her concerns, they hang up on her.
“My house is not yet ready yet I want to use the property as an investment. I am tired of the Minnesota coldness and want to return home, but I feel Akright management is taking me for granted,†she said.
Records show that Matama entered into an agreement with Akright in April 2006, under which the firm was supposed to construct for her a three-bedroom house at sh59m in Namanve and have it completed by April 2008. The house stands on a 0.12 acre piece of land.
Matama said she completed payment in less than two years, with the final installment made in February 2007, as per the agreement.
However, completion has taken more than two years and the house is still incomplete.
“They have taken long to complete the house and I feel I have not got my money’s worth,†she said.
Matama also complained of the poor workmanship at the house with use of sub-standard building materials that include cracked plywood doors and cracked walls.
When The New Vision visited the site on Friday, construction workers were painting, covering up cracks in the walls, paving the driveway, landscaping and working on the drainage system.
Akright construction manager Anita Kusiima said construction stalled between September and December 2008, due to disruption by area residents who accused the company of blocking the road that passes next to the house.
Kusiima said residents had threatened to harm whoever would occupy the house and would fill the manholes with soil, until the dispute was resolved.
But Matama disputed the claims saying: “That is none of my business and it is simply an excuse they are creating. They never explained to me about the land wrangles before.â€
“It has been a loss because I could have made money from the property by renting it out. I also want to return home. And in the economic recession in US, bills keep coming and there are risks of job loss.â€
According to their agreement, Akright Projects is supposed to get their client alternative accommodation if there are delays in completing the house.
However, Akright managing director Anatoli Kamugisha said: “She is not genuine and she has underlooked the good intentions of the company. She wanted a garage at the house, which we could not construct.â€
Speaking on phone on Monday, Kamugisha said he was out of town (Kampala) and promised to give more details about the case when he returned to office on Wednesday.
AKRIGHT Projects, a real estates firm, is embroiled in a dispute with a client who accuses the company of doing sub-standard work and breach of contract.
Elaine Matama, a Ugandan living in Minnesota, US also complained that when she telephones the management of Akright to raise her concerns, they hang up on her.
“My house is not yet ready yet I want to use the property as an investment. I am tired of the Minnesota coldness and want to return home, but I feel Akright management is taking me for granted,†she said.
Records show that Matama entered into an agreement with Akright in April 2006, under which the firm was supposed to construct for her a three-bedroom house at sh59m in Namanve and have it completed by April 2008. The house stands on a 0.12 acre piece of land.
Matama said she completed payment in less than two years, with the final installment made in February 2007, as per the agreement.
However, completion has taken more than two years and the house is still incomplete.
“They have taken long to complete the house and I feel I have not got my money’s worth,†she said.
Matama also complained of the poor workmanship at the house with use of sub-standard building materials that include cracked plywood doors and cracked walls.
When The New Vision visited the site on Friday, construction workers were painting, covering up cracks in the walls, paving the driveway, landscaping and working on the drainage system.
Akright construction manager Anita Kusiima said construction stalled between September and December 2008, due to disruption by area residents who accused the company of blocking the road that passes next to the house.
Kusiima said residents had threatened to harm whoever would occupy the house and would fill the manholes with soil, until the dispute was resolved.
But Matama disputed the claims saying: “That is none of my business and it is simply an excuse they are creating. They never explained to me about the land wrangles before.â€
“It has been a loss because I could have made money from the property by renting it out. I also want to return home. And in the economic recession in US, bills keep coming and there are risks of job loss.â€
According to their agreement, Akright Projects is supposed to get their client alternative accommodation if there are delays in completing the house.
However, Akright managing director Anatoli Kamugisha said: “She is not genuine and she has underlooked the good intentions of the company. She wanted a garage at the house, which we could not construct.â€
Speaking on phone on Monday, Kamugisha said he was out of town (Kampala) and promised to give more details about the case when he returned to office on Wednesday.