By Admin
Marvin Ayebare, the publicity secretary of the association of used car importers in Uganda has cautioned the public to desist from transacting every company that claim to be representing the Japanese car exporters before doing thorough research on them to avoid being defrauded.
Ayebare said that before dealing with any company, Ugandans should always take an initiative and do thorough checks on internet and even make calls before carrying out these dealings.
He made these remarks as Be Forward a Japanese car exporter compensated 53 clients who were defrauded by one of their former agents, Steel Logistics Nagoya in November last year.
In November 2022, a total of 53 customers were defrauded by Steel Logistics Nagoya after they paid for their vehicles only to turn out that they had diverted the funds.
In a press conference held at their offices in Kampala, officials from be Forward said that all the aggrieved customers had been compensated.
“For us we prioritize solution before anything else, we took an initiative, verified all the payment information by our clients and decided to compensate them by sending their vehicles,” Joseph Bogere, the Tokyo-based Uganda’s country manager said.
Mr John Mutahi the senior manager in charge of South/East Africa said that the unfortunate incident called for assessment before acting.
“As we keep on tracking these people, we have decided to take the initiative and clear our brand, which we have built for years,” he added.
Some of the complainants including Mr Andrew Kisitu told reporters that they had received their vehicles after exerting pressure on the company which later cooperated.
Kisitu said that after the scandal, the company reached out to him and asked him to pay the remaining balance so that he can get his car.
“I had paid $10,000 so after finishing my balance, they sent my vehicle which is now in Mombasa,” he said
The other Be Forward agents in Uganda include: Kheri Group Limited, Pre Motors Limited, Mpaatanel Company Limited, Fahd Enterprises Limited, Meik Car Hub Limited, and Beetonda Auto Limited in Masaka.
