By KT Reporter
Young mothers struggling to raise children fathered by Chinese nationals who abandoned them are seeking intervention from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to Simon Mundeyi, the Ministry Spokesperson, the Ministry has received over 16 cases of young mothers seeking help within just one week.
The fathers of their children are reportedly Chinese nationals who worked for the China Communications Company Limited, the firm that constructed the 45.46km Entebbe Express Highway, a four-lane dual carriageway. Mundeyi said most of the mothers are in their early twenties and have asked the ministry to help trace the fathers of their children.
“These mothers are very young, around 23 years old, and shockingly, some are even graduates. They can’t provide details about their children’s fathers, except that the father worked on the Entebbe Express Highway. This lack of information limits what we can do for them,” Mundeyi said.
Mundeyi explained that preliminary investigations suggest many of the Chinese workers brought into Africa for such projects are prisoners serving their sentences abroad and are required to return home upon completion of the project.
“We’re told those construction people who are brought in from Africa on such road construction come to serve their sentences, and after they return home. As the government, there is nothing we can do for these mothers; we can only provide passports for these children, but also not for free, because these children, even in their looks, are of Chinese racial origin,” Mundeyi said.
He further warned young women, especially those seen associating with Chinese workers along the Old Port Bell road construction site near the Ministry’s offices, against engaging in such relationships for financial gain.
“I see girls associating with Chinese workers on the Old Port Bell road construction near our offices, likely for financial gain. However, the outcome will be similar to these cases of struggling with fatherless children. I warn them to be aware that once these foreign nationals finish their contracts, they’ll return to their countries without notice,” Mundeyi cautioned.
Mundeyi’s warning echoes similar concerns raised by General Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, during the launch of the Nakawuka road construction project last year. Katumba warned local women against relationships with Chinese workers, citing the high risk of abandonment and the burden of raising children alone-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
