The Guardian

'Back home we can’t kiss': the gay badminton star forced to flee Uganda

Megan Nankabirwa and her partner, Lydia Nabukenya, had to leave their country for the UK after being chased by an angry mob
Megan Nankabirwa (right) and her partner Lydia Nabukenya in Manchester’s gay village. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

A few days after Megan Nankabirwa returned from competing in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, she was dining with the president of Uganda. A week later, she was being chased by a mob through the streets, fleeing for her life.

The 30-year-old badminton champion was a star in her own country. Then, when they found out she was gay, she became persona non grata. Her visa for the UK was still valid, so she boarded a flight to Heathrow.

“Back home we can’t kiss, we

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