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Letter from Yarl's wood detention centre

megan | 05.10.2005 21:45

Many Ugandan women are awaiting deportation from the UK to Uganda. The UK government maintains that Uganda is a safe country to return to in spite of the war in the north which has raged for 18 years and the repressive means by with President Yoweri Musoveni maintains power.

extract of a letter from a woman in detention who would like to remain anonymous at this stage:

'....Well I have enclosed some news reports about events and the undemocratic behaviours that are taking place in my country Uganda and I have a reason to say that I am so worried about our deportations that are taking place today because the government of Uganda is trying to create a very good image to the government of the UK that Musoveni is a good man. He is trying to protect his image but he is the most corrupt president I have ever known in my life.'

People who have lost their case for asylum in the UK and are returned to Uganda by immigration are scapegoated by the government and exposed in the media for tarnishing the image of the country abroad and accused of being responsible for the withdrawal of aid to Uganda by countries unhappy with their human rights records.

Amnesty International report on Uganda. 2004.:
 http://web.amnesty.org/report2004/uga-summary-eng

The report includes evidence of widespread violence towards women and children, torture and death in custody, restrictions on freedom of expression and harassment of political opponents.

megan

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