I’m Ugandan by nationality and 40 years old. I’m a father of three precious children, living in Uganda with my wife. I was arrested in January 2023 at Hong Kong Airport by customs officials after they found dangerous drugs on my clothing during a search. I was charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs in a Hong Kong court after realizing that it was illegal. I am writing this letter to appeal to all people, friends, and relatives: please don’t be influenced by friends or social media to get involved in dangerous drugs.
I was born and raised in a family that was full of poverty. Because of this, I was forced to struggle a lot to take care of myself and my younger siblings, as I am the fifth of eleven children. My parents were poor and couldn’t afford to educate me or my older brothers. I suffered a lot to help my parents care for and educate my siblings, and it was my dream to work hard to educate my children to the level they want, which I have failed to attain.
Before this mess, I was working as a hotel manager, but during COVID-19, I lost that job and was forced to return home to my family, who live in a rural area. We faced a lot of hardship without any income for two years. I felt ashamed during that period when I couldn’t even afford soap for my family. I couldn’t pay bills, and my children could no longer go to school because I didn’t have enough money for the fees. When we got sick, we couldn’t afford to see a doctor, and often we had only one meal a day. These many failures as the head of the family prompted me to fall into a trap that led to my imprisonment.
After seeing that my situation was getting worse and more hopeless, I contacted a friend to share what I was facing. Immediately, my friend told me he would get me a good job abroad. Without thinking it through, I accepted the job, seeing it as a miracle at that time, but it was due to my ignorance and the poverty I had been living with. He told me I would travel to work abroad because he had many businesses with Chinese companies and needed someone trustworthy to help fulfill orders. I had previously met this man as a guest at our hotel, and he appeared to be kind and wealthy. He is not Ugandan but from Nigeria.
He began to manipulate me, saying that I was gentle and trustworthy, which is why he wanted me to work with him. He assured me that he would help me take care of my family.
At that time, I couldn’t afford a smartphone, so he promised to buy one for me, insisting that I couldn’t travel without it. Since I had never traveled before, I accepted without question.
After being apprehended, I was confused and shocked to find myself in Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre, realizing I had become involved in a crime I couldn’t believe. I had always tried to live with dignity for my family and community. Learning about the serious nature of the offense and charges fills me with sadness for being in prison. I’m facing emotional challenges being away from my family and friends. Here in prison, there is no freedom, no internet, and no visitors because I’m a foreigner without relatives or friends here, making it hard to receive visitors. I often find myself crying to be with my family at home. I have lost many relatives while in prison and can never see them again. Sometimes I worry for my health and that I may lose my life while in prison. Therefore, this is my warning to others not to make the same mistake I did.
Please be careful of bad friends. Before taking any action, monitor them to avoid making such mistakes. Be cautious of social media, as many people fall victim to scams because of dishonesty. Avoid trying to make quick and easy money. It’s better to get an honest job instead of resorting to dishonesty and planning to obtain easy money. I have suffered a lot from anxiety in prison and learned that the world is complex, and one should always be vigilant and content.
With the right support and guidance from the church, community, and kind people, I hope to remain a constructive citizen who contributes to society when I am released from prison. I hope to be a responsible father and take care of my children. I face this situation courageously, admitting my wrongdoing and repenting before God.
I would like to express my gratitude for your time in reading my story. May the God of peace be with you all. Thank you very much.
Note: This letter has been edited to improve the readability and clarity of the story.
