Bailiffs impound Civil Aviation Authority bus over sh34m debt

By Andrew Ssenyonga       

Four Four Two auctioneers and court bailiffs have impounded a vehicle, Isuzu bus belonging to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over sh34m debt it owes a Kasese resident.

Drama ensued on Thursday when the bailiffs, assisted by police, raided Uganda Police Force Mechanic offices where the bus was parked to attach it. The bus' registration number is UAA 934E. The driver tried to block the bailiffs but in vain.

The auctioneers broke the door and drove the bus to Mwanga II magistrate's court in Mengo.

Kasese court chief magistrate Moses Katorogo issued a warrant of attachment of moveable property of CAA and have the same sold in execution to meet  civil suit costs of sh34m.

The move came after CAA lost a civil suit which Madina Mbabazi a resident of Saluti B in Kasese filed against it at Kasese magistrate's Court.

CAA encroached on Mbabazi's land measuring 1.346 hectares in 2007 when it undertook to expand an air field under Kasese Airport development project.

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CAA bus parked at Mwanga II court. Photo by Peter Busomoke

When the survey of the land was done, it was established that CAA had encroached on Mbabazi's land.  CAA went ahead with the construction before compesating Mbabazi.

In his ruling, Katorogo on June 19 2015 ordered CAA to pay Mbabazi a sum of sh34m in compensation.

"This is to command you to attach the movable property of CAA as set forth in the schedule on the reverse of this warrant and which shall be pointed out to you by Mbabazi and sell by public auctioning," Katorogo told the auctioneer in a letter.

Amon Sabakaki, the auctioneer, told the New Vision that both parties agreed to settle the matter and court ordered CAA to pay sh34.428.300 without any interest.