UK Border Agency fields complaint from Children's Commissioner

The Children’s Commissioner Sir Al Aynsley Green has spoken out over the handling of an African asylum seeker by The UK Border Agency last week.

Ugandan woman Elizabeth Kiwunga ran away from her homeland in 2002 after claims that she was tortured and raped by henchmen belonging to the opponents of her husband’s political party. Ms Kiwunga had earlier this month expressed fears that she would face further violence if she was forced back to Uganda. Ms Kiwunga’s case has become one of huge public interest after her tireless campaign to be granted residency. She had arrived seven years ago with her then husband and settled in Darlington where the local community grew to back her pleas.

Ms Kiwunga was deported last week along with her two children who were both born in Britain after the family was seized by officers from The UK Border Agency. This was the third time the family had been seized. Massive public backlash followed the two previous attempts, leading to community leaders successfully arguing for a reprieve.

The Children’s Commissioner is angered at the way the case was handled; particularly by the fact that Ms Kiwunga had once again been forced apart from her children during the raid. Sir Al demanded to know why authorities felt it necessary to place 4-year-oldHilary-Marie and her baby brother John in separate cars after reports came to light that the two children were left alone with UKBA officials for around half an hour.

Fears for the safety of the family have escalated after she was reportedly arrested on her arrival back in Uganda, a country which has been rife with violence in the recent months.