Trial of Chinese paedophile kicks off

By Michael Odeng and Edward Anyoli

The trial of a Chinese suspected to be a paedophile  kicks off at the High Court in Kampala.

Yang Zhengjun alias Yang Wang and his co-accused Faith Orlando are charged with five counts of aggravated trafficking in children and defilement.

The charges arose from transportation of children through abduction and engaging them in sexual intercourse.

Prosecution alleges that Zhengjun between the months of September and November, 2012, performed sexual acts with persons at the age of 9, 13 and 14 years respectively.

According to the prosecution, Zhengjun allegedly had sexual acts with the minors and paid them between sh20, 000 and sh100, 000.

It also alleged  that Orlando in the same months engaged in the transportation of  children through abduction from Kirombe Custom Corner cell in Gulu district to Lusaze ‘A’ in Lubaga division, a Kampala suburb and haboured them for purposes of engaging them in sexual exploitation.

The accused  are charged with child trafficking contrary to section 3 (b) and 5( a) of the prevention of trafficking in persons Act 2009 and defilement contrary to section 129 and 4 of the penal code.

New judge Joseph Murangira will preside over the trial and Principal State Attorney Susan Okalany will prosecute the case while Andrew Sebugwawo and Yunus Kasirivu will defend the two accused.

Last week High Court judge Albert Rugadya Atwooki withdrew from the case after Court of Appeal re-instated Yang Zhengjun’s bail. Orlando is on remand in Luzira prison. 

Rugadya had previously cancelled ZhengJun's bail in order to expedite trial but justice Remmy Kasule of Court of Appeal re-instated it.