Raymond Kavuma has been added to the list of many Ugandans forced to flee their homeland due to the oppressive Anti-Homosexuality Bill signed into law by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on May 29, 2023.
This controversial law in Uganda criminalizes homosexuality, threatening offenders with severe punishments. In a rush to escape discrimination and persecution – where Section 2 of the law creates the offense of homosexuality, punishable by up to life imprisonment, and Section 3 creates the offense of aggravated homosexuality, punishable by death – Kavuma sought refuge in Canada, leaving behind his family, career in IT, and everything else he had known.
For Kavuma and others like him, it meant living in constant fear of persecution and harm simply for being who they are. In Uganda, being gay is not just frowned upon, its dangerous. In an investigation conducted by this reporter, reflecting on the hardships Kavuma faced back home, the law, just like it does to everyone who identifies as gay, made him a target for violence and discrimination, and he couldn’t live like that anymore.
Fleeing his homeland wasn’t an easy decision for him. Leaving behind his family and friends meant abandoning the familiarity and comfort of home. However, the risk of staying was far greater than the uncertainty of starting anew in a foreign land. In Canada, Kavuma finds solace in knowing that he can live openly and authentically without the constant threat of persecution.
Right there, he can be himself without fear, and he feels safe. But despite finding refuge in Canada, our sources further reveal that Kavuma still worries about his family back in Uganda. He misses them every day, but sadly, he couldn’t stay and put them in danger, and he hopes that one day they will understand. The plight of Kavuma and others who have fled Uganda highlights the urgent need for global attention and action to protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide.
