CHINA. TWO UGANDAN CITIZENS PARDONED

January 22, 2008: China pardoned two Ugandan women on death row in the communist state for alleged drug trafficking.
Ms Sarah Basiima and Ms Bonita Nagai, were pardoned on grounds of poor health, a diplomat who did not want his name published because of the confidential nature of the case told Daily Monitor.
"Ms Basiima was pardoned because she is in poor health and pregnant while her colleague Ms Nagai has a six-month-old baby," the diplomat said. "China is finalising their deportation, the arrangements started on December 27," he added.
The two were part of 15 Ugandans facing the death sentence for drug trafficking in China. They were arrested between September last year and last month.
Others include Jason Mukiibi, Nasuru Salim, Keren Ocokuru, Fadiru Kalema, Henry Kasozi, Paul Muwonge and Lillian Nakungu. Like Basiima and Nagai, most Ugandans have been detained at Guangzhou, in Southern China's high security prison for hard core criminals. (Sources: AllAfrica.org, 23/01/2008)