Exiled Ugandan Lesbian Threatened

A Ugandan woman exiled because she is a lesbian was told by a politician Wednesday that she must “repent or reform” upon returning home. Brenda Namigadde fled Uganda in 2003 to Britain after being threatened because of her relationship with a woman, and she is currently due to be deported back home on Friday. In the meantime, politician David Bahati has proposed making homosexuality—already punishable by up to 14 years in prison in Uganda—an offense punishable by death. After international outcry, however, he has said he would consider dropping “the death penalty.” Bahati said he welcomed Namigadde back to Uganda, but warned that if she pursued any gay relationships, she would face arrest. Namigadde’s lawyer and gay rights groups have petitioned for her to stay in Britain, as they fear she will be arrested the minute she gets off the plane in Uganda.