Maureen Nankya – “What I didn’t know is that its not the police or the government which was witch-hunting the gays and lesbians instead it was the public…”

Date: 30th Oct 14

This is just part of my story.

If somebody out there asked me if the Anti-gay Law (which was later over turned) hasn’t caused a lot of damage to destroy lives, I could simply ask the person to go Uganda and have a firsthand information and experience. Am a lesbian, who lived a secret life since my teenager days. Even when everybody was talking about gay issues in Uganda, I always showed less interest not to blow my cover. But in August 2014 when the Ugandan High Court over turned the Anti-gay Law on technical grounds, I couldn’t hide my joy, I publicly celebrated thinking that freedom has come to Uganda and we can now leave freely. What I didn’t know is that its not the police or the government which was witch-hunting the gays and lesbians instead it was the public, the common people, families and “friends.”  My celebration didn’t only attract the haters but people who wanted me dead.

But in July I had heard about the FNUR who were working with local frontline activities. I contacted one of the contact persons, I was assessed along side other 26 fellow lesbians. All the facts about our case were gathered and within 2 days we were on to a neighboring country.

My intention was to end up in Europe, but the politics, the expenses and the red tape, made me change my mind and instead I applied for an open working visa in UAE. It’s a strict world here but at least am working and rebuilding my life, in future when I save enough I might apply for other more free countries like US or Denmark.

I want to thank all the QUAKERS who unite themselves under FNUR for saving my life, without them I could be dead. Thanks FNUR, you are my heroes.

Lots of love
Maureen Nankya

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Download a PDF version of Maureen’s story here.