Through their lawyers of Kyamanywa, Kasozi and Company Advocates, the former employees contend that they were laid off from work to enable them to heal before they can resume duties. However, they were reportedly denied access to the Luzira based factory when they returned. They add that the company has never communicated to them their termination but merely denied them access to their work station.
Four former employees of Blue Wave Beverages Company Limited have dragged the company to court seeking to be compensated for injuries sustained while on duty.
The four are: George Sseruwu, Emmanuel Okullo, Samuel Kevin Mboowa and Betty Namutibwa.
They state that in 2018 and 2019 while operating a blow machine, they suffered injuries.
Sseruwu lost a finger as well as Okullo, Mboowa lost two fingers while Namutibwa lost her index finger.
Through their lawyers of Kyamanywa, Kasozi and Company Advocates, the former employees contend that they were laid off from work to enable them to heal before they can resume duties. However, they were reportedly denied access to the Luzira based factory when they returned.
They add that the company has never communicated to them their termination but merely denied them access to their work station.
They further contend that on November 4th 2019, one of their lawyers wrote to the company seeking to be compensated for the injuries they suffered while executing their duties but in vain.
“Due to the defendant’s negligence and failure to comply with the labour laws of Uganda, the claimants lost body parts, have become cripples and unemployable for which they should be paid general damages”, reads the suit in part.
They now want the court to order Blue Wave Company to compensate each with above 50 million shillings for loss of body parts. They also want to be compensated for general damages for the pain and suffering occasioned to them as well as costs of the suit.
The Deputy Registrar of the Civil Division of High Court Sarah Langa has already issued summons to Blue Wave Beverages Limited to file their defence in regards to this matter. It will be heard by Justice Musa Ssekaana at a date that is yet to be known.
In 2016, the Parliament Equal Opportunities Commission led by Kampala Central Member of Parliament Muhammad Nsereko ordered for the closure of Blue Wave Beverages Limited following reports that its bottled water in the Uganda market was contamInated.
However, in 2017 the Uganda National Bureau of Standards lifted the suspension it had imposed on them after they had reportedly inspected to ascertain compliance to standards required to produce water.
Story by Kukunda Judith
