Chinese investors ask for interpreters at Entebbe Airport

CHINESE investors have asked the Government to consider availing interpreters at the airport for those who cannot speak English.

“It is only a few of us who know a bit of English. Most of our people find it hard to access services because they cannot communicate,” Zio Xiaoming from the Chinese embassy, said.

This was during a consultative dialogue on the draft national migration policy at the Chinese embassy. The policy is aimed at creating a supportive framework for investors, foreigners and local people to work in harmony.

Xiaoming said a few months ago, civil engineers from China were deported from Entebbe Airport because of language barrier. “We did not know about it until they reached China,” he said.

He added that his country was encouraging young Chinese to learn English.

Pat Cheborion, the principal immigration officer who led the internal affairs team at the dialogue, called upon the Chinese to also teach Ugandans their language to reduce the communication problem.

Representatives from the immigration office informed the Chinese embassy about complaints from Ugandan traders, who say they are often cheated while doing business with the Chinese.

Eunice Kisembo, the internal affairs spokesperson, said the traders are forced to hire interpreters when doing business with the Chinese, but the interpreters connive with the Chinese to cheat them.

By Justus Akampa
The New Vision Newspaper
03 June 2012