BUSHENYI
Prominent businessman and Kampala International University (KIU) proprietor, Al-Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba, is under fire following allegations of breaching a multi-million shilling contract for the drilling of boreholes at the university’s Western Campus in Ishaka, Bushenyi District.
The dispute came to light after investigative journalist Ninye Tabz leaked copies of a “Borehole Drilling Agreement” on social media, accusing the tycoon of failing to clear arrears owed to a local contractor despite his public displays of wealth.
According to the documents dated August 21, 2024, Basajjabalaba, identified as the “Borehole Owner”, contracted Roatwe Enterprizes U Ltd to drill eight boreholes at the KIU Western Campus. The total consideration for the project was set at UGX 215 million.
The agreement outlined a phased payment plan, including an initial deposit of sh12.5 million acknowledged at signing, sh102.5 million payable upon execution of the contract, and a final balance of sh100 million due upon completion of the works and verification by the owner’s technical team.
However, reports suggest that while the “young man” behind the drilling operations completed the task, the final payments have remained elusive.
“Sebo Al-Hajji BasajjaBalaba, with your shoulders high, you boasted how you offered to pay over 1 million Euros to Germans to have a heart transplant for your 80+ yr old mother,” Tabz posted on X (formerly Twitter). “But did you pay the young man that drilled the shallow wells at your KIU Ishaka establishment?”
The agreement, witnessed by Paul Tusubira & Co. Advocates, tasked the contractor with drilling, installing casings and screens, gravel packing, and ensuring the water was “clean for purpose.” The contract also mandated a completion period of one month from the date of execution.
Under Clause 8, the agreement allowed for termination in the event of contractor delay, but specifically noted that the “Borehole owner will only pay for work already completed.”
Efforts to reach Al-Hajji Basajjabalaba or the management of KIU for a comment on the status of the payment were unsuccessful by press time. Similarly, Roatwe Enterprizes U Ltd has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the progress of any legal proceedings
