Suspected Chinese paedophile trial on hold

By Michael Odeng

KAMPALA - Court of Appeal has temporarily halted the trial of a suspected Chinese paedophile charged with aggravated child trafficking and defilement.

Judge Remmy Kasule on Tuesday suspended the trial of Yang Zheng Jun, pending a constitutional application filed by defense lawyer Andrew Ssebugwawo and Yunusu Kasirivu.

Court will give its final ruling on July 12 – 10 days away.

Zheng is jointly accused with Faith Orland, who is also still on remand over charges of aggravated trafficking of children and aggravated defilement.

“For the meantime, the criminal proceedings in this matter should be stayed, pending the delivery of this ruling,” Judge Kasule pronounced.

In a petition, the suspects are seeking a constitutional order to be released on bail.

Court heard that on April 2 this year, Zheng was granted sh100m cash bail and his passport detained in court.

His bail was cancelled by Judge Rugandya Atwooki on May 6 when he appeared for plea taking.

But his lawyer petitioned the Court of Appeal, contending that the High Court judge, Atwooki cancelled Zheng’s bail without genuine reasons.

 “The judge cancelled the accused’s bail on his own motion without the State applying for it and without according him a fair hearing or giving any reason for his decision,” lawyer Ssebugwawo said. 

He carried on that the suspect has never defied court orders of visiting the High Court Deputy Registrar of the criminal division twice in a month and not traveled outside Uganda without express permission.

He has also fulfilled his bail terms, the lawyer said of his Chinese client.

Prosecution insists that the accused between September and November 2012 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 the victims for the purpose of engaging them in sexual acts.

In the middle of all this, the accused is said to have failing health.

According to Prisons medical superintendent, Joseph Andama, the Chinese suspect is progressively becoming ill and worsening in health.

“Zheng suffers from lung disease called corpulmonable which has affected exchange of air in the lungs. He continues to have increased blood pressure,” he revealed.

 Mulago Urologist, Dr. Joseph B. Masaba says Zheng is suffering from diabetes mellitus, hypertension and chronic ulcers.

On June 12, he collapsed in court after Judge Atwooki had read charges against him. He was rushed to Luzira Hospital and later on referred to Mulago hospital for treatment.