Lady Justice Susan Odongo rejected Three Ways Shipping Services Group Ltd's attempt to overturn a garnishee order. The company and its directors faced a six-year-old debt worth USD 126,000 owed to Transpares (K) Ltd. Bank accounts at Stanbic Bank Uganda and Standard Chartered Bank Uganda remained frozen under the court order. The defendants claimed they operated as separate legal entities from the original debtor company.
The judge determined that corporate structure alone could not shield the group from responsibility. Evidence showed that identical individuals controlled multiple companies while attempting debt avoidance. Transpares had previously won Civil Suit No. 279 of 2019 after Three Ways Shipping Services (K) Ltd breached fuel supply and weighbridge service contracts. The court extended liability to directors Geoffrey Baitwa Bihamaiso and Oscar Rolands Baitwa Businge by piercing the corporate veil. Transpares may recover the full judgment amount plus UGX 10.4 million in legal costs.
The judge determined that corporate structure alone could not shield the group from responsibility. Evidence showed that identical individuals controlled multiple companies while attempting debt avoidance. Transpares had previously won Civil Suit No. 279 of 2019 after Three Ways Shipping Services (K) Ltd breached fuel supply and weighbridge service contracts. The court extended liability to directors Geoffrey Baitwa Bihamaiso and Oscar Rolands Baitwa Businge by piercing the corporate veil. Transpares may recover the full judgment amount plus UGX 10.4 million in legal costs.
