Ugandan lesbian campaigner denied entry to UK
A Ugandan LGBT rights campaigner has been denied entry to the UK to speak at a Northern Ireland Pride festival.
Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, who faces death threats for speaking out for LGBT rights in her home country, was invited to open the Foyle Pride Festival in Derry next week.
However, British authorities have denied her a visa, apparently over concerns about her financial status.
Foyle Pride chairwoman Shay Gillespie said: “Foyle Pride has invested heavily in bringing Kasha to Derry despite having a very limited budget and relying on donations and the support of local businesses, money and resources that will now be lost.
“I can’t understand why the UK is the only country to deny her entry and deny the opportunity for the people of Derry and Northern Ireland as a whole the chance to hear this inspirational woman speak.”
A petition has been set up to challenge the decision and Derry SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood is assisting with the campaign.
Ms Nabagesera, the founder of Freedom and Roam Uganda, recently received the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.
