URGENT HOLIDAY APPEAL for Help : GAY Ugandan Stuck in U.S. Detention

Editor, Dec 21, 2011

Let us help get Joseph home for XMAS

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Joseph Bukombe, a San Diegan man has been in detention for two years because his attorney was unable to prove to the court that Joseph was a gay man and by returning to his native Uganda, it would endanger his life.

Even though Joseph’s story attracted publicity and a petition organized by a friend,  Joseph did not receive adequate legal care so far and now when released we hope to provide the legal help he needs on appeal.

Dear Friends,

I am asking for your urgent help for a friend.   Joseph Bukombe is a young gay man who should not spend one more day in detention. We negotiated his release bail down from  $20,000 to $10,000 and have raise $6,000 so far; we need $4,000 more to have him out of these awful conditions by the holidays.

Joseph  was living  like anyone else, a productive American life in San Diego until 2 years ago when he was picked up and detained by ICE where he has been imprisoned ever since.   He has NEVER been accused of a crime, except leaving his homeland to come to America. He was shunned by a society that wants to kills gays. He is an orphan and has no one.

Joseph is a Uganda gay refugee who absolutely cannot go back to Uganda where he will face certain violence – getting him out of the detention center will give him his Xmas holidays  with friends in San Diego, where he will be able to formulate his legal case in much better and viable living conditions.

Joseph will not run from his bail and the money, once returned, will be used to help his legal case fees as well as other people whom are seeking to find refuge here in the USA after fleeing violent persecution.

I am asking for your help … This is a personal plea!  No amount is too small… Please call me or e-mail me immediately if you can help with this.

Please see the notes below for more details.

Best Regards,

Mel.      DONATE HERE

Melanie Nathan
Editor
[email protected]

Notes:

Joseph Bukombe, a San Diegan man has been in detention for two years because his attorney was unable to prove to the court that Joseph was a gay man and by returning to his native Uganda, it would endanger his life.

Even though Joseph’s story attracted publicity and a petition organized by a friend,  Joseph did not receive adequate legal care so far and now when released we hope to provide the help he needs on appeal.

The St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation is a San Diegan based non profit agency concerned with LGBT globally equality and has been supporting the work of Christopher Senyonjo this past year. We are also sponsoring a young transgender Ugandan who was abducted and tortured before being granted asylum. Any funds raised that are returned or left over from Joseph’s bail and legal fees will be used to support this second victim of Uganda’s horrific anti-gay laws.

“We can give one gay man, a fellow San Diegan, the gift of freedom,” said Canon Albert Ogle who is Co chairing this holiday party event at LifeHOUSE on Thursday 15^th December from 5-7.30 p.m. to pay for Joseph’s bail ($3,000 was raised).

Tax deductible tickets or donations (if you cannot attend) can be purchased through the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation. “This money will really help both Ugandans to find a place where they no longer live in constant fear and stress”, said Canon Ogle.