LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in Uganda have long since faced societal discrimination, ostracization, and even violence. In recent years however, anti-gay rhetoric has increased, leading up to the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality bill in 2023. The bill criminalizes homosexuality, with anyone identifying as gay risking life in prison, and in some cases, even the death penalty. It was these dangerous circumstances that lead Bamwanza Maserka to flee his home at the risk of his own life, simply for his sexual orientation.   

Bamwanza recounts that upon graduating high school, his parents discovered he was gay and consequently disowned him. Forced to leave home, he fled to a neighboring village, and began teaching in private schools to support himself. He lived in fear for many years, knowing that many people knew of his sexual orientation. He recounts:  

鈥淢y life in Uganda was so terrible. I was living in a macabre situation. I didn鈥檛 study well because of my sexual orientation, and people were against me and almost killed me."

In 2022, while he was living together with his partner, they were both abruptly attacked in the middle of the night. They awoke to a crowd outside their home, chanting homophobic slurs and threatening to kill them. Both men ran, but only Bamwanza was able to narrowly escape. He hid in the cover of a nearby banana plantation, yet he could still hear the cries of his partner as the crowd beat him.  

Bamwanza continued living in precarious conditions, struggling to find work to support himself. Eventually he made his way to Kampala, Uganda鈥檚 capital, and reconnected with his brother. Unfortunately, already aware of his sexual orientation, Bamwanza鈥檚 brother sold him out to the police, and he was immediately incarcerated. He was among several LGBTQ+ community members imprisoned, where they were routinely beaten and tortured for information on other community members.  

鈥淚 wanted to die because the pain was so bad. I started telling them names of people I didn鈥檛 even know, just to make them stop鈥, 

Bamwanza says of the torture he experienced.  

After several days of imprisonment, a human rights activist came to visit the prisoners and worked for their release to a hospital. Bamwanza and the prisoners were admitted to the hospital for treatment however it was short lived, as soldiers came and forced the staff to discharge them, despite their protests that the patients needed further care. The prisoners were placed in cars and enroute to a new location when the car broke down, forcing them to stop. When the soldiers allowed the prisoners to step out of the car to relieve themselves, Bamwanza took the opportunity to run. He relates that he ran as fast and as far as he could, taking cover in a swamp and staying hidden until the evening. Afterwards, while still on the run he came across an old woman鈥檚 house, who offered him help. Despite her offer of kindness, Bamwanza was terrified because he was in prison uniform and did not want to disclose why he had been arrested. He told her instead that it was political issues that lead to his imprisonment. Incredibly, the old woman sympathized, stating that her son had been killed for similar issues and she wanted to help Bamwanza. At her advisal and with help from her son, Bamwanza headed to Kenya to seek help from the Red Cross, where he stayed in a refugee camp.  

Life in the refugee camp was not easy, there was little support and little food; Bamwanza spent most nights going to bed hungry. It became more difficult still when word of Bamwanza鈥檚 sexual orientation was spread. He suffered the same discrimination he had dealt with all his life in Uganda, with people taunting him and threatening him with violence. When he went to the UNHCR office and recounted his story and fear for his safety, asking for protection, his fears were dismissed and he was reassured the camp was safe.  

The threats and violence continued, escalating to one night where a mob once again attacked Bamwanza at his home. They broke in at night carrying machetes and weapons and attacked him, aiming to kill. The attack was viscious; he suffered numerous injuries all over his body, including cuts from the machete, a broken leg, and permanent damage to one eye, causing blindness. The violence escalated to Bamwanza being shot and suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Assuming him dead, only then did the mob subside and depart. Miraculously however, Bamwanza survived. In his critical condition he does not know how but he made it to the hospital, where he spent several weeks recovering. He was treated for all his injuries and spent the next eight months walking on crutches as his leg healed.  

鈥淚 was in severe pain, I asked the doctor to kill me because it was too much,鈥

 he says.   

Afterward he continued his efforts with the United Nations in Nairobi, trying to get help with achieving refugee status and resettlement, however even with the UN he dealt with corruption within the agency, and faced discrimination for being gay. Life in Nairobi was no easier than the refugee camp; Bamwanza continued to struggle with no resources or support system to help him. However, his resilience and persistency paid off and eventually he was able to get through the UN system and receive help from the 探花精选. He credits the 探花精选 to changing his life and finally helping him flee to safety and resettle in Denver. He states:

鈥They have given me peace and freedom by resettlement.鈥 

In August 2024, Bamwanza finally arrived in Denver, CO, ready to begin his new life. He has worked extensively with Douglas Love, Employment Specialist at the 探花精选 in Denver鈥檚 office.  

鈥I have 200 clients. He's probably one of five that will ask for tasks that he can do weekly or something he can do to also promote his own self-sufficiency,鈥

 says Douglas when asked what makes Bamwanza stand out from among his clients.  

He highlights Bamwanza鈥檚 remarkable resiliency as one of his strongest suits, along with his ambition and genuine desire to help others.  

鈥淚 told him one day he might be doing a job like mine, because he really enjoys helping others鈥,

 Douglas states.  

Bamwanza鈥檚 optimism and hope shine through immediately upon meeting with him. Although obstacles remain and resettlement is a long journey, he is excited about life in Denver and starting fresh. His immediate goals include finding employment, and then enrolling in college to pursue medicine.  

鈥淩ight now, I'm very happy. I have peace. I have freedom,鈥

he reflects.   

鈥淵ou have to stay strong, and keep your dreams alive, and focus on your future. And work hard. You need to work hard,鈥 

Bamwanza鈥檚 advice to others starting their resettlement journey.  

 

Written by the 探花精选 in Denver's development intern Kiran Shah

Edited by the 探花精选 in Denver's Development and Engagement Manager Hanna Simmons