US company duped, seeks to redeem supplied transformers from URA

URA head quarters in Kampala, Uganda. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Acting through Messrs Kasumba, Kugonza and Co Advocates, Voltech contends that where it has indeed tried to look for Quanta Services through its address on Old Portbell Road, it has failed to locate it.  

A transformers dealer - Voltech Engineers - trading as Voltech Products, has put an application in court seeking to redeem transformers from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) it has supplied to a non-existent company June. 

In a case filed before the Commercial Division of the High Court, Voltech Products wants court to order URA to release transformers that had been supplied to its purported client - Quanta Services Uganda.  Documents before court indicate that Voltech wants a declaration to repossess the transformers out of URA’s custody. 

Somewhere last year, court documents indicate, Quanta Services’ parent company Quanta Services Inc entered into a contract in which it had been tasked to supply 50 transformers for its  project in Uganda. 

The transformers were later shipped in the country in two lots, for which Quanta Services had been required to clear for the first and second lot on June 29 and July 13, respectively, while awaiting for the arrival of a third lot that was due to arrive in Mombasa, Kenya. 

However, court documents indicate, Quanta Services has to date not cleared the transformers currently under URA’s custody while the third lot remains unclaimed at Mombasa.  

Acting through Messrs Kasumba, Kugonza and Co Advocates, Voltech contends that where it has indeed tried to look for Quanta Services through its address on Old Portbell Road, it has failed to locate it.  

Voltech claims that it has also tried to contact Quanta Services’ parent company in the US but all contacts have been unreachable with email inquiries going with no response.  

Voltech, court documents indicates, suspects it was duped thus seeking a court order transfer supplied goods in its name, an order directing URA to release its goods subject to payment of taxes.