Our friend Kirk Mwesigwa, 21 years old, was re-detained when signing last Thursday at Eton House and given removal directions for Monday the 5th March. He was assaulted and beaten during the removal attempt and is back in Colnbrook, threatened with another removal. Kirk is a volunteer with our detainee support network, and has been very active helping others in his same situation, both when he was detained - he spent 8 months in detention - and after his release, during the short time he was free and his life seemed to get back together.

He was persecuted in Uganda because of his involvement with the youth movement of the FDC (Forum for Democratic Change) which he joined because he hates injustice, war etc.-, and had to flee for his life.

Urgent Action Needed:

Please fax Liam Byrne at the Home Office asking him that Kirk Mwesigwa is not removed until his assault is investigated and until further legal representations are submitted. Copy the model letter/ edit/ write your own letter. Fax: 020 7035 4745 from outside the UK + 44 20 7035 4745. Address: Liam Byrne, Minister for State for Nationality, Citizenship & Immigration, 3rd Floor, Peel Building, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF

Model Letter:

Dear Mr. Byrne

Re: Forced removal of Kirk Mwesigwa – Home Office Ref: M1317258

I am writing regarding Kirk Mwesigwa, a twenty one years old Ugandan citizen, who is currently detained in Colnbrook IRC. Kirk is a prominent youth member of the Forum for Democratic Change in Uganda, for which he was arrested and tortured. When released he resumed his political activity, this time underground, and found himself in grave danger again when he helped uncover an electoral fraud in the run up to the 2006 elections. Following a new wave of violence and repression, during which members of his party were killed or disappeared, he had to flee the country.

He was arrested immediately when he appied for asylum in the UK. His case was put on the fast track. There is vast evidence of serious abuses against human and political rights in Uganda. The Chair of the FDC, Mr. Besigye was sent to jail in November 2005 and only released in early 2006. At the present moment eleven FDC officers, who were arrested at the same time as Mr. Besigye, are still in jail even after the Courts having issued a bail for their release (documented at The Monitor on Line, www.monitor.co.ug). The Ugandan government not only refuses to release the FDC officers but also ordered a raid at the Judiciary offices in relation to the bail issued, showing absolute disregard for the role and independence of the Judiciary.

Kirk's fresh claim was rejected despite substantial evidence of torture. Six of his finger nails are missing and he has a medical legal report which states the condition of his nails is consistent with torture. He also has a letter from Kizza Besigye and other substantial evidence. Kirk was given removal directions the for 5th of March 2007, KQ 101 to Uganda, 19.00 hours. He was the victim of an unprovoked assault by the escorts during removal. The airline crew complained about the use of eccessive force and refused to carry him. He was brought back to Colnbrook and reported the assault to the police. I am asking that no further removal directions are issued until the incident is properly investigated and Kirk is allowed to pursue further legal representations re. his asylum claim.