By Mukembo Wilfred
Kibazo Associates a law firm representing three Chinese tourists has petitioned president Museveni, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Chinese and Malaysia embassies in Uganda complaining against officers of the Citizenship and Immigration Control at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) in ministry of Internal Affairs
In their petition dated 22rd of May 2026, lawyers lead by Nasser Kibazo stated that their clients Wu Jingzhen a passport hold number EM61529335, Chao Lili passport hold number ED3869982 all Chinese nationals and Peck Lok Hin a Malaysian national passport hold number A71747089 are illegally detained by immigration officers
“We are instructed to bring to your urgent attention the following matters. On 3rd April 2026, our clients were arrested and detained on charges which to date have not been disclosed or ascertained. They were subsequently released on police bond and have at all times complied with terms thereof, including regular reporting as required” the petition reads in parts
Lawyers’ further states that on 20th of May 2026, their clients reported for a routine police bond but shockingly, they were told that their police bond has been cancelled and with immediate effect re-arrested, detained without giving them explanation
Explaining that since then lawyers have been asking the concerned officers to process the accused persons and arraigned them in the Courts of law if they have any case to answer but keeps on playing games as their client’s human rights continued to be violated
“As of the date, hereof, our clients have been in detention beyond the mandatory forty-eight hours prescribed by law without being presented before courts of law. This continued violates detention is unlawful, unconstitutional and in blatant violation of their fundamental rights” the petition reads in parts
Lawyers placed Immigration Officers including Col. Geoffrey Kambere, the Acting Chief of DCI, Simon Ayabutimi, Faith Apio and a one Baguma on notice that very soon are instituting both civil and criminal cases against them under the Human Rights Enforcement Act in their individual capacities
“Take notice that should this matter not be addressed immediately, we have firm instructions to institute appropriate legal proceedings without further reference to your office. We trust that your office will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves” lawyer writes
They further asked the said immigration officers with immediate effect grant their clients police bond or produced them to courts of law
Kibazo told this publication that their clients were arrested from their Apartments in Kololo and where detained for days until lawyers put up a spirit fight and were released on police bond
He added that when their client’s police bond cancelled, officers from immigration went to their home searched in the presence of the accused persons and their lawyers but nothing was recovered which make them sure that where going to be released but put now are still in detention
When contacted for a comment, Simon Peter Mundeyi the ministry of internal affairs and immigration spokesperson said that he was not in office promising to return back to us after consultation concerned officers but his phone turned busy by press time
