Exclusive

Refugee who was 'raped and beaten' after deportation brands Rwanda plan a 'death sentence'

14 June 2022, 06:56 | Updated: 14 June 2022, 07:35

Prossy Nakalinzi, 29, fled to the UK from Uganda
Prossy Nakalinzi, 29, fled to the UK from Uganda. Picture: LBC/Alamy
Charlotte Lynch

By Charlotte Lynch

A Ugandan refugee has told LBC she was raped and beaten after being deported back to her home country from the UK.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Prossy Nakalinzi, 29, fled to the UK from Uganda, which borders Rwanda, in 2009.

She feared her life was in danger because of her sexuality, and had already suffered brutal attacks simply for being gay.

She moved to London, but in 2013, immigration officers visited her home in the middle of the night and told her she had overstayed.

She was forced to hand over her passport and detained in Yarl's Wood, Bedford. Later that year, she was deported back to Uganda.

She told LBC: "I was dropped in Uganda with nothing. I spent five years of hiding because people wanted me dead. They don't allow us to be lesbian or gay in Uganda.

"They can come in to your community, they can attack you, they can kill you."

Read more: First migrant flight to Rwanda to go ahead with as few as 7 asylum seekers on board

Read more: 'It’s the government’s job': PM hits back at Charles in Rwanda migrants flights row

Prossy on why she is against the Rwanda migrant plan

Prossy told LBC she now has a three-year-old son, fathered by a rapist who attacked her after she was deported back to Uganda from the UK. A judge ruled she could return to the UK in 2019.

She and her son have now successfully claimed asylum in London.

Speaking to LBC whilst protesting against the UK government's controversial Rwanda migration policy, Prossy said she fears LGBTQ+ refugees who are deported to Rwanda will experience worse.

She said: "Rwanda is my neighbouring country and I know Rwanda doesn't have democracy.

"Taking refugees there is a real disaster - it's like they are taking them to a killing zone, giving them a death sentence.

"Torture and death. They will not be safe."

Ugandan refugee Prossy on Rwanda policy

When asked how she feels towards the British government, following the abuse she faced whilst back in Rwanda, Prossy said: "Really, I blame them for whatever I am facing now. I blame them. They kept saying I'm lying, lying, lying.

"I was here [Britain] for two years but I didn't know how to really claim asylum, nobody really said that.

"I was just trying to know the country and live my life, but I didn't know what to do next. They told me that I overstayed, so I'm a criminal, which I didn't really understand."

"For me to sleep and be living today, I now have to be on medication. Sleeping medicine, and medicine to cool down my stress. They damaged my brain and damaged my life."

A Government spokesperson told LBC: “Rwanda is a fundamentally safe country which is recognised globally for its record on welcoming and integrating migrants. It is illegal to discriminate against anyone in Rwanda, including discrimination for sexual orientation and we now have a Memorandum of Understanding which both sides are committed to upholding”.

“Each case is assessed individually, and no one will be relocated if it would be unsafe or inappropriate for them to do so”.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Actor Haley Joel Osment attends the 2025 PaleyFest LA - "Poker Face" event at the Dolby Theatre on March 29, 2025 in Hollywood, California.

Oscar-nominated ‘Sixth Sense’ actor Haley Joel Osment charged with public intoxication and cocaine possession

Commuters walk along a packed platform after a single train arrived during the morning rush hour, at Waterloo Station in London on April 8, 2024.

Millions set to face heavy disruption in Easter travel plans due to engineering works, strikes, traffic and flooding

Luigi Mangione, the suspect indicted in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson arriving at the South Street Helipad in New York City on December 19, 2024.

Luigi Mangione indicted on federal murder charge over CEO killing as US pushes for death penalty

Firefighters are battling a major blaze at a historic First World War airfield - as residents were warned to stay indoors due to fears over asbestos in the smoke.

Firefighters battle huge blaze at historic WWI airfield as residents warned of asbestos in smoke

Far fewer women today would prefer to switch gender than they once did, according to a study.

Fewer women would prefer to switch gender than they once did, study shows

More than four in five (81%) teachers feel the number of pupils exhibiting violent and abusive behaviours has increased, according to a poll by the NASUWT teaching union.

Teachers are being punched, kicked, shoved or spat at by pupils

Harry Maguire secured one of the most jaw-dropping European wins.

Harry Maguire seals Europa League semi-final spot for Manchester United after thrilling comeback

David Lammy has said Russia must agree to an “immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire” after meeting counterparts from the US and Europe.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy says Russia must accept ‘unconditional ceasefire’ after US-Europe talks

One batch of the medicine Lercanidipine, made by Recordati Pharmaceuticals, is labelled as containing 10mg tablets when it in fact contains 20mg.

Patients on common blood pressure drug urged to check pack amid labelling error

"It is a weekend where I want to perform, I want to do well," Norris said.

Lando Norris planning to try new things to get ‘comfortable’ with his McLaren

Beatles fan mail to be showcased in new exhibit featuring dozens of letters sent to Ringo Starr's home

Beatles fan mail to be showcased in new exhibit featuring dozens of letters sent to Ringo Starr's home

The Prison Service will investigate whether frontline staff should be given protective body armour.

Prisons service reviews protective gear for guards after Manchester bomb plotter attack

A woman who helped her husband die has said she has "no regrets" despite facing a police investigation.

Woman who took her husband to Switzerland for an assisted suicide says she has 'no regrets'

Rubbish Piles Up In Birmingham As Refuse Workers' Continue Strike Action

Birmingham Council is offering free 'rat extermination' as backlog of bin waste piles up in the city amid ongoing strikes

Florida State University students wait for news amid an active shooter incident at the school’s campus in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025 (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

Sherrif says gunman who stormed Florida State University was son of one of his deputies

Ember, a six-year-old spaniel became trapped by a sea cliff near Moelfre in Anglesey, Wales.

Moment stranded dog trapped on cliff edge rescued by RNLI