Irakowze* suffered long nights of searing hunger pains, and sexual exploitation, after he was kicked out of his home at the age of sixteen, when his father found out that he was gay. He managed to survive the streets of Kampala, following his dream and landing himself at the pinnacle of Africa's fashion industry as a stylist, an amazing feat for a nineteen-year-old. The nightmare he thought was behind him, caught up with him when he was "outed" by Uganda's notoriously homophobic publication, the Red Pepper.

Walking home one day, not knowing that his Facebook pictures had been illegally published,he found himself in the midst of an angry crowd in a busy Kampala market. Irakowke quickly made a detour down a seemingly deserted street, not knowing the people trailing behind were following. Suddenly, he was grabbed from behind, and the group of men took turns brutally beating him. The last thing he remembers, before being knocked unconscious, was one man reaching for his wallet, while another man whispered in his ear, “Tumanyi awosura Gwe musiyazi—We know where you stay now, homosexual.”

The attacks didn't end in the market. He was hunted down even when he fled Kampala, located, and assaulted so violently that he barely escaped with his life.

He had no choice but to return to Kampala, where men would wait outside the home in which he was staying waiting for him to leave. His phone would go off day and night with menacing threats, “You’re dead homosexual.” One morning he fled to a friend’s home, and since arriving, has never been out in the light of day or in open space. Irakowe has no freedom of movement, or association, putting all civil, political, and economic human rights beyond his reach. Worse, the family housing Irakowze will soon be leaving Uganda.This move will put him on the streets, where imminent violence, and possible murder, awaits. Irakowze cannot access any police protection as being identified as a homosexual in Uganda is punishable by imprisonment.



In recognition of the collective violations to the human rights of Irakowze, we the undersigned, implore the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the Parliament of Canada, on behalf of Pride Uganda Still Stands, Price of Silence, activists, and citizens of Canada and around the world, to intervene in this life and death situation, and grant asylum to Irakowze under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Convention against Torture.

In Canada, Irakowze has a circle of friends, some of whom have faced violence abroad because of their sexual orientation, who will give him the emotional support he needs, assist with his transition to Canada, and connect him with resources.We ask that the government of Canada intervene and grant asylum to Irakowze so that he can live his potential protecting the inherent dignity of the human rights of the LGBTQIA+ peoples facing persecution for their identities.

*Price of Silence & Pride Uganda Still Stand: Irakowe is not his real name. His real name cannot be disclosed publicly for safety and security reasons.