Prossy had been forced into an engagement when her family discovered her relationship with the girlfriend she met at university. Both women were marched two miles naked to the police station, where they were locked up.

Prossy's inmates subjected her to gross acts of humiliation. She was violently raped by police officers who taunted her with derogatory comments like ''we'll show you what you're missing'' and ''you're only this way because you haven't met a real man''. She was also scalded on her thighs with hot meat skewers.

See this article in Pink News describing how the Red Pepper newspaper is continuing its outing strategy targeting lesbians and gay men in Uganda.

Prossy was eventually taken out of prison after her father bribed the guards. Her family had decided they would sacrifice her instead, believing this would ''take the curse away from the family''.

Whilst her family were making arrangements to slaughter her, Prossy managed to flee to the United Kingdom to seek asylum.

When Prossy went for treatment to her local GP's surgery in the UK they were so shocked by the extent of her injuries they called the police.

She was taken to the St. Mary's Centre in Manchester, and she is still receiving counseling there for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Uganda 2007
The government's human rights record remained poor. Although there were improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained, including unlawful killings by security forces; instances of torture and abuse of suspects by security forces; vigilante justice; harsh prison conditions; official impunity; arbitrary arrest; incommunicado and lengthy pretrial detention; sexual abuse of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps; restrictions on opposition parties; electoral violence and irregularities; government corruption; violence and discrimination against women and children, including female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual abuse of children; trafficking in persons; violence and discrimination against persons with disabilities and homosexuals;

Prossy's asylum application has been refused by the Home Office, who acknowledge she was brutally raped and burnt because of the medical evidence, but have dismissed these appalling attacks as ''the random actions of individuals'', and state she can be returned to a different town in Uganda.

This judgement ignores the clear danger to gay people throughout the country where the penalty for homosexuality is life imprisonment.

Also, in Uganda, you cannot settle in a new town without a reference from your previous village, and on the basis she is a lesbian, Prossy would be subjected to similar persecution wherever she went.

We consider that if Prossy is sent back, she faces the continuing threat of incarceration, and further sickening attacks - which next time may be fatal.

Prossy is a highly educated woman who can be a productive member of society.

She has a right to be free with her sexuality, which is causing no harm to anyone, and she has a right not to be raped, attacked, or murdered.

What you can do to Help
1) Fax/write/email Mr Liam Byrne, Minister of State for Borders and Immigration, model letter ProssyKakoozaLB.doc attached that you can copy/amend/write your own version asking that Prossy Kakooza Home Office Ref: K1268314, should have her case reconsidered with a view to granting her refugee protection.

Fax: 0870 336 9034
Email:  Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

or write to:

Mr Liam Byrne,
Minister of State for Borders and Immigration
Home Office
3rd Floor, Peel Buildings
2 Marsham St
London SW1 4DF

Please notify the campaign of any faxes/letters/emails sent:
 revandy@mccmanchester.co.uk

2) Print off attached petition ProssyKakoozaPetition.doc, get as many signatures as you can and return to:

Prossy Kakooza Campaign
C/o Metropolitan Community Church of Manchester
PO Box 19
Manchester
M34 3XF

Enquiries/further information"
Reverend Andy Braunston
 revandy@mccmanchester.co.uk

End of Bulletin:

Source for this Message:
Prossy Kakooza Campaign