A gay Ugandan woman has attempted suicide twice after being denied asylum
A gay Ugandan woman has attempted suicide after the Home Office refused her asylum application.
Lazia Nabbanja, who is currently being detained in Yarl’s Wood detention centre, fears that she will face persecution in her home country after being visible on several Pride marches, wrote The Independent in an exclusive.
In Uganda, gay citizens could face life imprisonment for their sexuality, and Nabbanja fears that her family and she could face extortion and violence from officials looking to discredit her because of her sexual orientation.
Abbey Kiwanuka, who has been supporting Nabbanja in her role as a member of the Out and Proud African LGBTI group, said that she is “in a bad bad state”.
“She has been cutting herself and has attempted suicide on two occasions,” he said to The Independent.
“She’s very distressed. Her lawyers phoned me on Tuesday and asked if someone could visit her because she’s in a bad, bad state.”
“The Home Office have to consider what is going to happen to her if she is deported,” he said.
“Her picture is widely available and as soon as she lands the immigration authorities will be aware she is coming. It will be difficult for her as soon as she gets off the plane,” she added.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individual cases.”
A Crowdfunding page to help support Lazia Nabbanja can be found here.
