Twenty three Ugandans have been sentenced to death for smuggling drugs into China, documents seen by Saturday Monitor indicate.
Information compiled by Uganda’s embassy in China shows that another 22 Ugandans are serving life in several jails scattered across China, while four others have been placed behind bars for a period ranging between 12 and 15 years.
The fate of 27 other suspects hangs in a balance as they wait judgement over their cases. Four other suspects held in Hong Kong—an annex province of China—thought to be Ugandans, have refused to divulge any information about themselves. Of those convicted, 23 are female while 26 are men.
Uganda’s Ambassador to China Charles Wagidoso says most Ugandans caught in the drugs trade, which is banned in many countries, are mere conduits of bigger players.
“Many times these Ugandans don’t even own the drugs,” Mr Wagidoso told Saturday Monitor this week in Beijing.
“They are just paid to transport the drugs. I have sent our officers to talk to several of those arrested and we have discovered that they are used mainly by Pakistanis and Nigerians.”
The diplomat said their investigations show that most of the mules (people transporting drugs) are paid an average of $5,000 (about Shs12 million) for each mission. Part of the money, Mr Wagidoso said, is paid before undertaking the assignment while the rest is offered upon successful delivery of the illicit drugs.
“We have passed all this information to relevant authorities who are now working with Interpol to try and track the perpetrators. We hope they can sort this out quickly.”
Sovereign state
The ambassador said much as they would want to intercede and probably get “lenient” sentences for the suspects, it is not possible.”
“China is a sovereign state and it must implement its laws as it deems fit. What we have done is let our Chinese colleagues know that many of these people arrested are victims of tough economic circumstances. They are not professionals. It is on that basis that some of those who had been placed on death row had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment.”
Uganda anti-narcotic fight
Several police reports show that Uganda is a convenient hub in the international drugs trade because of its weak laws.
If arrested with drugs in Uganda, one could pay a fine of not more than Shs1 million or get jailed for a term not exceeding six months.
The police insist the law must be amended to provide for tougher sanctions.
On deathrow
Bonitor Naggay
Jean Kirunda Ndawula
Lucy Amor Acen
Gertrude Ndagire Ssentongo
Bako Maria Paira
Lillian Nakungu Deborah
Sandra Nalumansi
Reagan Ssekajja
Anthony Kalule
Joseph Mukasa Mulindwa
Isaac Jagwe
Alfred Ssempewo
Charles Candia
Eddie Kasumba
Jason Mukiibi
Nassur Salim
Faridu Kalema
Peter Bogere
Felix Nsubuga
Madinah Kyalimpa
Susan Kakeeto
Betty Asiimwe