UK: Ugandan rapist who claimed he was at risk of homophobic persecution deported
A Ugandan rapist, who was jailed after admitting on Facebook that he attacked a woman, has been deported after immigration officials dismissed claims he would face persecution because he stated he was gay.
John Ssewagudde, 23, had argued he would be prosecuted in his home country of Uganda, where homosexuality is a crime punishable by 14 years in prison. However, he lost his bid and was deported following the end of his prison sentence on Monday.
Yesterday, his victim spoke of her relief after fearing he would be released back to Glasgow, where she lives.
Ssewagudde was a charity worker whose visitor’s visa had already expired when he raped the woman in her own home on 25 June 2010.
He denied the charge but was convicted after posting a message on Facebook saying: “I admit it. I raped you.”
A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: “Ssewagudde was transferred to immigration detention immediately on release from his prison sentence. He was deported to Uganda on 20 May, 2013.
“Those who come to the UK must abide by our laws. We take all necessary steps to deport criminals.”
She added: “Mr Ssewagudde was never released from custody – we would have informed the victim if he had been granted bail … we will take steps to see if we could have kept the victim better informed.”
