Blue wave managers want 8Bn for damages

Blue Wave Beverages Limited has dragged government and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to court for the closure of its operations last month.

In a suit through M/s Web Advocates and Solicitors before the High Court, Civil Division, Blue Wave Beverages Limited states that on November 22, 2016, Mohammed Nsereko, the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Committee and Kampala Central MP, ordered the suspension of production of Blue Wave bottled water.

Uganda National Bureau of Standards effected the directive. Nsereko issued the directive after a whistle blower tabled before the committee a carton of bottled Blue Wave water containing particles.

In the suit, Quan Liu, the General Manager Blue Wave Beverages Limited, says he appeared before the committee he wasn't given an opportunity to see the alleged contaminated products and therefore couldn't verify if the batch numbers, bottles and products came from their factory.

The company says as chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Committee Nsereko overstepped his mandate to suspend Blue Wave operations, adding that the committee doesn't have technical capacity to ascertain whether the product they displayed was water and whether it was contaminated.

Blue Wave Beverages Limited also states that on November 21, 2016, a day before its managers appeared before the committee, UNBS had issued the company a compliant report. Blue Wave is seeking Shillings 8 billion in damages as a result of the loss of goodwill and public confidence in their products.

To that effect, Court has summoned the Attorney General and UNBS to file their defense on December 19, 2016.

-URN