By Spy Uganda
In a major legal blow to one of Uganda’s leading construction firms, Roko Construction Limited has lost its bid to block the execution of a High Court judgment requiring it to pay over USD 399,156 (approximately UGX 1.5 billion) to Pramukh Steel Limited for unpaid construction materials.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Dr. Ginamia Melody Ngwatu of the High Court Commercial Division, who dismissed Roko’s application for a stay of execution, citing the company’s failure to meet the legal standards necessary to halt enforcement of the decree.
Roko Construction had sought to delay the payment pending appeal, arguing that immediate execution would cause “substantial financial loss” and potentially render any successful appeal meaningless. However, the court found the claim speculative and unsupported by evidence.
“The applicant has not demonstrated that the appeal has a reasonable chance of success,” Justice Ngwatu ruled. “This application fails and is hereby dismissed with costs to the respondent.”
The court also faulted Roko for procedural lapses, noting that the company had not filed a memorandum of appeal or applied for a certified record of proceedings — both of which are essential to establishing the seriousness and viability of an appeal.
The commercial dispute dates back to Civil Suit No. 0990 of 2020, when Pramukh Steel sued Roko to recover the balance on a supply contract worth USD 450,827. Roko had paid only USD 51,671, leaving a debt of over USD 399,000. In October 2024, the court ruled in favour of Pramukh Steel, awarding the outstanding amount along with 10% annual interest from the date of filing until full payment.
Justice Ngwatu’s ruling has now cleared the way for execution proceedings against Roko, allowing Pramukh Steel to recover the long-overdue payment — a development that marks a decisive win for the steel supplier in one of the subregion’s most closely watched commercial litigation cases.
Unless Roko secures an urgent reprieve from the Court of Appeal, the enforcement process is set to proceed, potentially placing the construction giant under financial pressure as it faces obligations stemming from the protracted legal battle.
