Three employees of Askar Security Services Limited, a company that recruits private guards to serve in Iraq, have dragged their employer to court for allegedly deducting their pay.

Askar has been jointly sued with Beowulf International, a US-based security company contracted to protect United States government facilities and interests in Iraq. Askar is the local recruiting agency for the company.

In a suit filed in the High Court on November 20, Mr Jackson Sentubiro, Mr David Ssenyonjo and Mr Chris Mugenyi contend that upon taking up employment with Askar, they entered into an employment contract and were entitled to a monthly remuneration of $1,000 (Shs1.9 million) and other allowances depending on duties assigned to them.

The money was supposed to be remitted directly to their respective bank accounts in Uganda.

"However, without any notification or consultation and in complete disregard of the specific terms of the Agreement, the defendants (Askar and Beowulf) jointly and severally deducted $100 (Shs190,000) per month from the trio's salaries," the petition prepared by Muwema and Mugerwa Advocates reads in part.

It further reads: "Despite numerous verbal and written requests, the defendants have neglected and or refused to make good the breach of contract and loss suffered by the plaintiffs. Further evidence shall be led to prove that the illegal actions of the defendants jointly and severally were wanton, willfully high handed, oppressive and were actuated by greed and have amounted to exploitation of the plaintiffs and other guards still serving in Iraq and by reason thereof, the plaintiffs shall seek punitive and aggravated damages."

However, the Managing Director of Askar, Ms Kellen Kayonga yesterday denied knowledge of any complaint against the firm.

"I have not seen or received any complaint against us (Askar) and I am not aware of the names of the complainants because we have a huge number of people we are dealing with, over 400," Ms Kayonga said.

"We never deduct people's payments because the system is proper that money is paid through the bank."

The complainants are seeking a declaration that deductions from their salaries were unlawful and should be refunded.

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They also want compensation for general damages as result of breach of contract, punitive and aggravated damages as well as costs for the suit.

Court is yet to fix a date for hearing of the case, which is largely expected to set a precedent for thousands of Ugandans serving in Iraq.