Sports TV’s Shs1bn appropriation case against Vision Group nears judgement

Four years ago, Vision Group allegedly put off air a major entrepreneurial broadcaster. Sports TV, the first free-to-air broadcaster in the continent, was already finding its auto-functions on the remote controls of many a sports lover in Uganda as it telecast live premier league games from Scotland, Netherlands and Belgium as well as Rugby and motor sport. But after leasing its equipment to Vision to start Urban TV, everything fell apart for Sports TV as it was put off air and its equipment allegedly retained to this day. 

A four-year running dispute in which a defunct local broadcaster is seeking to recover in excess of UGX1 billion from Vision Group could be concluded in a fortnight, the CEO East Africa has learnt.

In a hushed legal battle, Sports TV Uganda Limited dragged Vision Group to court seeking to recover equipment, worth millions of shillings, that it claims was appropriated by Vision Group.

Sports TV, owned by Bent and Nada Andersen, is seeking USD300,000 in declarations, damages, interests and costs from Vision Group.

The couple dragged Vision Group to the Commercial Division of the High Court on October 15, 2014. The case is being heard by Lady Justice Anna B. Mugenyi.

In their statement before the court, Sports TV accuses Vision Group and its chief executive Robert Kabushenga of appropriation of equipment worth millions of shillings.

In the suit, Sports TV claims to have been approached by Robert Kabushenga in 2009 for advice on setting up a broadcaster. At the time, Vision Group was seeking to start Bukedde TV.

It is understood Vision had earmarked up to USD2.4 million (about 5.7 billion at the time) for investment in setting up Bukedde TV but needed expert advice in the field. Kabushenga and his team ended up at Sports TV.

“When they visited our studio to internalise with broadcasting, they were amazed with how much one can do on a small budget. They were planning to spend $2.4 million on their setup but after visiting us, they ended up spending only $500,000, including construction of their TV building in Industrial Area,