By: Ruth Muganzi

In December last year, a petition to stop the deportation of Uganda lesbian Judith Twikirize from UK was started online after she was detained at Yarlswood Dentition Center and the process for her deportation kicked off. The then 23 year old Twikirize feared she would face prosecution as well as deal with discrimination and homophobic attacks if she came back home.

Having been a victim of torturous exorcism in the hope of combating her sexual orientation, Twikirize prayed that she would not be subjected to undergoing more torture at the hands of her own countrymen. And her prayers have been answered; as the UK government has finally granted her safe heaven.

“It’s been a struggle, but God has done it for me. I now can have the freedom that I have never had before since my childhood. I want to thank each and every one that supported and prayed for me, the organisations that were there for me mostly Out and Proud Diamond Group, the media news that helped bring the truth to the public, plus all the people that signed my petition to stop me from being deported. God bless you all,” said in a phone statement to Pink News.

Armed with the scars and psychological pain from the exorcism, 24 year old Twikirize says she is glad the ordeal is  over and can’t wait to embarks on a healing journey  as well as rebuild her life from scratch.