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Beaten and tortured lesbian
Ugandan woman seeks asylum in UK
29 Apr 2008-
Uganda- A Ugandan woman who was jailed, raped and tortured after it was
discovered she was gay is fighting a decision by the Home Office to refuse her
asylum.
Prossy
Kakooza, 26, who lives in Bolton, Lancashire, is due to have her appeal heard in
May. Uganda in line with many other African countries has outlawed
homosexuality. Ms Kakooza was handed over to Ugandan police by her brother when
he found her with her girlfriend of five years.
She was then subjected
to multiple rapes and branded with red hot meat skewers on her thighs by drunken
police officers. She said: 的知 still receiving counselling at a rape crisis
centre. 的 have nightmares every night and I don稚 think I will ever get over
what happened to me."
Ms Kakooza, who is a
University graduate, was eventually rescued and smuggled from the country by a
friend who bribed guards to release her. On arriving in the UK she was seen at a
medical centre where doctors were shocked by her horrific injuries and called
the police.
She said: 的 was taken
to hospital and tested for Hepatitis B and Aids. 典hankfully, I知 in the clear
but it was a worrying time." She added: 的 really want stay in this country and
work. 的 have a degree in English Literature and I would love to be able to
teach.
Ms Kakooza said that
she often thinks of her girlfriend who was also jailed. She said: 的 was lucky I
got out. 的 can稚 bear to think of what is happening to her there."
Ms Kakooza痴
application was turned down on the grounds that she could relocate safely to
another area of her country.She said: 的n Uganda they speak 10 different
languages. I can only speak my own local language and English.
的f I moved to another
area locals would immediately be suspicious of me. 的 don稚 want to have to
pretend not to be gay. 的 don稚 want to live a lie."
Ms Kakooza is
hoping to gain support form her local MP, Dr Brian Iddon. She has written to his
office and is currently awaiting his response. A Home Office official said that
they were unable to comment on individual cases.
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