Just in: Gay man’s deportation to homophobic Uganda postponed
Campaigners are celebrating after a gay man set to be deported to Uganda, one of the world’s most homophobic countries, has had his deportation postponed.
Jimmy Kyesswa had been booked on to a flight from London Heathrow to Kenya, before being flown from Kenya to Uganda, as the UK government set out to deport him.
An attempt was made to take him to the airport but whilst on the road to the airport security guards received a number of telephone calls.
But there was some confusion during the journey and Mr Kyesswa was returned to Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre.
More than 11,000 people signed the petition to stop the deportation.
Mr Kyesswa’s future now hangs in the balance as campaigners call for more pressure to be put on the government to help keep him in the UK.
The change.org petition set-up by advocates says: “We are asking supporters to send as many emails and faxes as possible to Kenya Airways. You can also phone the airline.
“Emails, faxes and phone calls should point out that Jimmy is being forcibly removed.
“Friends and supporters are concerned about sending an openly gay man back to serious harm and persecution in homophobic Uganda.”
Uganda is one of the world’s most homophobic places on the planet.
The African nation carries a sentence of life imprisonment for “carnal knowledge against the order of nature”, or a sentence of seven years behind bars for so-called “gross indecency”.
Just two weeks ago an eight year old girl was arrested on suspicion of being gay.
Those wishing to sign the petition or take action can view more here.
