4 Chinese Nationals Plead Guilty for Violating Self Quarantine Guidelines

Four Chinese nationals accused of violating the self-quarantine guidelines issued by the Ugandan Health Ministry have pleaded guilty.

They are Huang Hai Guaing, Li Chaochyan, Qin Shening, and Liang Xing. They are jointly charged with their Ugandan accomplices Abdu Matovu and Swabu Nassuna who helped them escape from the mandatory 14 day self-quarantine at Kibuli Hotel Africa, in Uganda’s Capital Kampala.

The State Prosecutor, Annet Namatovu told the Nakawa Chief Magistrate, Ruth Nabaasa on Tuesday that the Chinese nationals arrived in Uganda via the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on March 10th, 2020.

Namatovu said the suspects were subjected to the mandatory 14 day self-quarantine at Kibuli Hotel Africa.

Namatovu, however, explained that before completing the quarantine period as directed by President Yoweri Museveni, the suspects escaped from the hotel using a Toyota Noah vehicle registration number UBB 809K that was being driven by the two Ugandans on their way to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, the suspects were intercepted in Zombo District, approximately 460 kilometers from Kampala and were subjected to Covid19 tests. Two of their colleagues who were not in court tested positive for covid19.

The suspects were arraigned in court and charged with negligent act likely to spread disease, disobedience of lawful orders and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor.

The suspects pleaded guilty to the offense of disobedience of lawful order on Tuesday and were subsequently convicted upon their own plea of guilty.

However, they could not be sentenced owing to the absence of a translator. Another Chinese national, Michael Zhong, who had volunteered to play the role of interpreter, stormed out of court when the magistrate tried to act professionally.

Trouble started after Ding Ling, one of the four Chinese nationals was charged separately with attempted murder.

Prosecution heard that Ling attempted to murder a one Machemo, a few weeks ago at Spin Ridar Cassino Hotel on First Street Industrial Area in Kampala. Court through Zhong asked Ding on how he pleaded to the charge. He denied the accusations, saying his knife accidentally cut Machemo’s arm as he tried to rescue him during a feud with his colleague.

Zhong tried to interpret what Ding had said in a manner that raised the Magistrate’s suspicion. Nabaasa cautioned him to do his work professionally drawing protests from Zhong. He threw away the court documents and walked away, saying he was not a prisoner. He argued that there was no need for the magistrate to order him around since he was only acting as a volunteer.

He jumped in the vehicle belonging to Charles Twine, the Spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Directorate and left for his home. This compelled Nabaasa to remand the suspects to Kitalya Government prison until May 4th when the court will find another interpreter.

Contributed by Ahmed Wetaka, Kampala-Uganda