An attempt to remove John from the UK last Tuesday 6th February failed, John was not told why the removal was cancelled and as yet a new removal date has not been set.

John was a TV Journalist in Uganda in the 1990s who disagreed publicly with President Museveni's policy on Northern Uganda. John is ethnically Acholi from Northern Uganda. In 1997 he was detained by the military while on an assignment in Northern Uganda. He was held for 3 nights in a military barracks and beaten up. On release he was told never to return to the area, which is his homeland. A friend told him that his home in Kampala where he was working from had been raided, tapes and videos had been taken and the place trashed. He still believes passionately Museveni should not be President.

John is not supporter of the LRA. He is however strongly of the opinion that Museveni actually made the war in the north continue longer than it otherwise would have.

The Lords Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony has committed terrible atrocities; killing thousands, cutting off the limbs of prisoners and opponents and recruiting young children to carry out these atrocities. The LRA members are Acholi. It grew out of resistance to Museveni and sees itself as asserting Acholi rights and identity, this despite the fact that many of its victims are Acholi. The Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF ) have been involved in unlawful killing, rape and torture of civilians in northern Uganda (Human Rights Watch "Abuses by the LRA and the UPDF against civilians". 2005,).

Politics and political strategies change. There is a cease fire (BBC News 29/8/06). Some of the LRA have gathered at two agreed assembly points in Sudan. (BBC News 11/9/06) They have however been ordered out of one assembly point by the state Governor (Uganda Conflict Action Network and the Daily Monitor 8/2/07) There is some fear they may regroup in the Central African Republic.

Movement towards peace in Northern Uganda reduces the danger to John, however it does not eliminate it. Museveni is still in power and has extended the period he is legally allowed to remain president.

If returned to Uganda, John could still be arrested on suspicion of sedition for his strong anti-Museveni views and his belief that some of the atrocities in Northern Uganda ascribed to the LRA were committed by the UPDF.

He has no family or close friends in Uganda to support him.

His vulnerability is increased by his diabetes and high blood pressure. The later was so high when he arrived at Tinsley House IRC, that a Doctor had to be called and his medication significantly increased.

John has a well-founded fear of persecution by Museveni and his regime because of his ethnicity and beliefs. His human rights would be trampled on if he were forced to go back to Uganda.

John has built a new life in the UK. He is a resident of Waltham Forest in London where has been a volunteer with the Refugee Advice Centre in Leyton and is on the Committee of Waltham Forest Asylum and Immigration Rights Group. John has been a star pupil on the access to Business Studies Course at Waltham Forest College and a mentor to other students. He has been offered a place at four universities in London.

What you can do to Help:
Please fax Liam Byrne at the Home Office (model letter attached please copy/amend/write your own version) asking him to review his decision to remove John Okello Please remember to quote Home Office reference number 0177604.

Fax: 020 7035 4745 from outside the UK + 44 20 7035 4745

Liam Byrne
Minister for State for Nationality, Citizenship & Immigration
3rd Floor
Peel Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Please notify the campaign of any faxes/letters sent:
Friends of John Okello
Chris Gwyntopher
C/o Friends Meeting House
Bush Road
London
E11 3UA
Tel, 077 3990 6710
 chrisandgwyn@phonecoop.coop

Write to John or even better visit him at:
Tinsley House IRC
Perimeter Road South,
Gatwick Airport
West Sussex
RH6 OPQ
Tel 01293 434800