Chinese nationals arrested in Entebbe face deportation — internal affairs ministry
Whereas the number of arrested Chinese was initially reported as 365, Mundeyi noted that they were 367, found working without permits while on visitor visas, "which is illegal under Ugandan law."
Some of the Chinese smoked out from one of the hotels in the areas of Garuga, Katabi town council in Wakiso district. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)
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Uganda's Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the National Citizenship and Immigration Control, has assured that the 367 Chinese arrested in the areas of Entebbe during a joint operation on Thursday and Friday are to be arraigned in court to face "appropriate" criminal charges.
This was revealed by Simon Peter Mundeyi, the spokesperson for the internal affairs ministry, in a press statement released after the arrest.
Whereas the number of arrested Chinese was initially reported as 365, Mundeyi noted that they were 367, found working without permits while on visitor visas, "which is illegal under Ugandan law."
He further stated that all the suspects are in what he termed as secure custody.
"Case files are being processed urgently for their arraignment in court to face appropriate criminal charges. Following the judicial process, the ministry will proceed with deportation for those found to be in the country illegally," said Mundeyi.
According to the ministry spokesperson, the operation reflects the government's strong commitment to protecting citizens and residents, safeguarding national security and upholding immigration laws.
Whereas it remains unknown where the arrested Chinese are currently being detained, they were picked from Country Lake Resort Hotel and Katomi Kingdom Resort Hotel, both located in areas of Garuga, Nalugala ward in Katabi town council, Wakiso district.
Mundeyi, on the other hand, urged hoteliers, property owners and resort managers to maintain the integrity of their premises by carefully vetting long-staying guests and promptly reporting any suspicious activities. "And if you notice anything unusual in your community, please report it without hesitation to the nearest security agency. Your vigilance helps keep us all safe," he cautioned.
Meanwhile, New Vision's efforts to reach out to the proprietors of the hotels from where the Chinese were picked were futile as all their known company and personal phone numbers were switched off.
Residents react
Some residents of Entebbe municipality have raised concerns about a warehouse built in the Kitinda wetland, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Katabi Town Council. They claim that another large group of Chinese individuals has been living there.
"Yes, we were tipped about the same, but by the time we got there, they had gone," said a source privy to the operation.
Another source that preferred anonymity confided that sophisticated high-tech gadgets were confiscated from the arrested Chinese by the security agencies carrying out the operation.
"This is a forensic search. We still want to ascertain what these gadgets and internet servers were being used for, and how they were brought into the country," one of the investigators said.
"Ugandans are running to the Middle East and China for work, yet the Chinese are running to Uganda for work. Something is not adding up here. Is it that Ugandans are not seeing the opportunities back home, or are we missing the memo?" Tonny Okello, a resident of Entebbe, wondered.