Kampala authorities have committed Dai Jie, a Chinese businessman, to the High Court over the alleged killing of his business partner, Yang Wen Li. The victim, who vanished in July 2024, was later found in Mabira Forest, Jinja District.
Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi ordered the committal on Thursday after formally reading the indictment. Dai Jie is required to report to the court registrar on the first Monday of each month until the next High Court session is set.
According to prosecutors, Dai Jie is charged with one count of murder under sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act. The incident reportedly occurred on July 7, 2024, at Haidah Plaza in Kampala. Wang Tiangang, another suspect believed to be involved, is still at large.
Dai Jie and Yang Wen Li lived in the same apartment at Haidah Plaza and ran Top Hair Group Ltd, a beauty products business in Galilaya Plaza. Court records show that Yang left their office around 3 p.m. on July 6 and never returned. Two days later, Dai Jie appeared at work alone, telling a colleague that Yang had gone to investigate a missing vehicle.
When both men failed to return home, a missing-person report was filed at Central Police Station by a business associate, Ahumuza Shivan. Investigators later discovered that Dai Jie had moved company stock to a warehouse on Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road before travelling to China on July 11.
While abroad, Dai Jie allegedly told a colleague that Wang Tiangang had killed Yang over a business disagreement. Acting on advice, he returned to Uganda and reported the disappearance to police on July 17, accompanied by members of the Chinese community.
Dai Jie told investigators that Wang had attacked Yang in their apartment, resulting in his death, and that the body was dismembered and dumped in Mabira Forest. Police recovered blood-stained items from their apartment and later exhumed human remains, including a skull and limbs, in a shallow grave. Forensic tests confirmed the remains belonged to a person of Chinese descent who had died from multiple cut wounds.
Authorities plan to present DNA evidence, CCTV footage, search certificates, and immigration records during the trial. Reports also indicate that Wang Tiangang was treated for injuries at Nakasero Hospital the night of the alleged killing.
Dai Jie has been medically cleared and found mentally fit, while Wang remains in China as authorities pursue extradition. The High Court will hear the case during its next criminal session.
