Outcry over deportation of lesbian after gay rights activist killed
Campaigners say a gay Ugandan who has been ordered to leave Britain could be jailed for 14 years if forced to return home
Campaigners say a gay Ugandan who has been ordered to leave Britain could be jailed for 14 years if forced to return home
Concern was mounting last night over the safety of Brenda Namigadde, an African born lesbian who is due to be deported to Uganda after a judge ruled she was not homosexual.
Campaigners fear for the safety of Namigadde after leading gay rights activist, David Kato (pictured), was recently found beaten to death in his home, prompting further calls to halt the deportation process.
Campaigner Peter Tatchell called on home secretary Theresa May to intervene, claiming: ‘It’s outrageous that the government should be contemplating deporting Brenda to a country where homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment and where MPs are proposing to execute lesbian and gay people.’
Ms Namigadde fled Uganda in 2003 after her house was destroyed over her relationship with her Canadian partner. She claims she will be tortured or killed if forced to return home.
The 29-year-old Ugandan, currently detained at Yarl’s Wood immigration centre, was due to be deported today but the Home Office is said to be reviewing final submissions.
The Home Office said the case has already been reviewed twice and a judge found that ‘on the evidence before him that Ms Namigadde was not homosexual’ and her safety would not be endangered by deportation.
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Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and only last year the government was forced to oust a bill to introduce the death penalty for gays who were ‘repeat offenders’ on the back of an international outcry. A Twitter campaign has been launched to prevent her removal.