High Court ordered Roko Construction Limited to pay ASSA ABLOY (U) Ltd Shs 5.73 billion

The High Court in Kampala ordered Roko Construction Limited to pay ASSA ABLOY (U) Ltd $1.39 million on October 16, 2026. The payment covers outstanding balances for doors and security fittings supplied for Mulago National Referral Hospital, alongside annual interest and legal costs.

Justice Stephen Mubiru, sitting in the Commercial Division of the High Court, delivered the electronic judgment on October 16, 2026. The ruling orders Roko Construction Limited to disburse $1.39 million—approximately Shs5.73 billion—to ASSA ABLOY (U) Ltd for security fittings and doors supplied to Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Alongside the principal sum, Justice Mubiru awarded interest at nine percent annually starting from August 20, 2020, until the amount is settled in full. The judge also awarded the costs of the suit.

Court Weighs Mulago Hospital Supplies

ASSA ABLOY proved it delivered and installed 2,716 doors, accessories, and ironmongery valued at $2,581,667.58, or roughly Shs10.63 billion. Roko had previously paid $1.19 million, leaving the unpaid balance of $1,391,667.58.

Roko contested these figures. The company argued that it had only received and paid for 1,784 doors while pointing to an absence of formal delivery notes and alleging some goods were defective or repossessed.

The court dismissed Roko’s defenses, drawing on shipping records, partial payments, and emails from an August 2020 physical verification exercise. According to the judgment, an Uganda Revenue Authority communication documented 63 consignments shipped over more than a year.

The court also relied on correspondence from Roko’s Operations Manager, Beyers Strydom, who confirmed the inspection quantities. The 1st defendant cannot now disclaim the acts of its own senior officer, Justice Mubiru ruled.

Attorney General Dismissal

While ruling against the main contractor, the court dismissed ASSA ABLOY’s claims against the Attorney General.

Justice Mubiru found that the government was not a party to the supply agreement. The government could not be held liable simply because the materials were installed at a public facility, and the claim against the Attorney General was dismissed with costs.

The judge also declined to award additional general damages to the supplier. ASSA ABLOY failed to prove a separate loss beyond the delayed payments.

In the circumstances, an additional award of general damages would be tantamount to overcompensation, Mubiru stated.