Husband, father and grandfather, Issa Mafabi, a newcomer to Canada and a political refugee from Uganda, is facing deportation on Monday and believes his arrival in his home country will lead to his certain death. .Mafabi currently resides in Edmonton with his daughter Zaina and her two children, all Canadian citizens, and has been in Canada for five years..The 63-year-old man was a tribal chief in his area of Eastern Uganda and was part of an opposing party to the current Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni who has been in power since January 1986..Mafabi had come to Canada to visit his daughter once prior to growing unrest in Uganda, but with the heightened threat to those who opposed the government, he fled to Canada in 2019 to escape persecution..Mafabi's son was also involved in an altercation at the time that led to the death of another man, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. A warrant was also issued for Mafabi's arrest dated April 2021. Mafabi's daughter said he was being accused of helping hide his son, but said the warrant is a cover for the Republic of Uganda to force his deportation and apprehend him for his opposition to the Museveni government..Zaina shared a copy of the official warrant document confirming Issa's risk if he returns to Uganda. . The Republic of Uganda Warrant of ArrestThe Republic of Uganda Warrant of Arrest."My father should not have to be responsible for someone else's crimes," Zaina told the Western Standard..In November 2019, Mafabi, with the help of an immigration lawyer, applied for refugee status in Canada but was notified in April 2021 his application was denied. A second immigration lawyer assisted Mafabi in appealing the ruling and he was notified his appeal was rejected in November 2021. He applied for a second appeal, but according to Mafabi, he was unaware it too was rejected until he received a letter from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) in July 2022 notifying him he was to be deported..Mafabi met with Immigration Canada to plead for continued safe refuge in Canada as he, and many others, believes he will be targeted and killed for opposing the current government once he arrives back in Uganda but was told by CBSA agent Carol Kochan on August 4 that he would be deported on September 12. He said he has no family or home to return to as it was burned to the ground and everyone, including his wife and other children, has fled for their protection..Due to issues with his previous lawyer, Mafabi secured another immigration lawyer — Albert Chiu in Edmonton — to attempt to postpone his deportation but said his family is struggling to afford the $2,700 needed..According to the Government of Canada website, those seeking asylum must have "legitimate reasons why asylum is necessary or it won't be granted." It also states "all legal recourse must be exhausted." ."Canada respects its international obligations toward those who genuinely need help and protection. However, we must also make sure that all laws are followed to protect the safety, security and health of Canadians," reads the site..Those seeking asylum in Canada face a "rigorous process" when determining if they have a legitimate claim with respect to Canadian and international laws..Canada opens its borders to more than 300,000 immigrants per year under three categories — economic immigration, family reunification, and humanitarian considerations.."There are no guarantees that you will be able to stay in Canada. If it is determined that you are not in need of Canada’s protection, the process to remove you from Canada is initiated," says a statement on Canada's immigration website..Mafabi said he was told by Immigration Canada he would receive a deportation risk assessment and had one year from his appeal rejection in March 2022, but was shocked to find out in August he was being deported in September..Zaina is a client of New Hope Resettlement Institute (NHRI) — a not-for-profit that supports newcomer women and their families with ESL classes, preparation for permanent residency tests, and post-secondary training prep. It also offers drop-ins and info sessions for career and job preparation, hands-on skills like working with computers or sewing, new mom and senior support as well as youth-oriented opportunities..Zaina is a single mother with two children who immigrated to Canada in 1999 and has since became a Canadian citizen. ."I fear for my dad's life" said Zaina.."He's an old man; he has high blood pressure and I can take care of him here.".Uganda's human rights environment has seen a marked deterioration since the January 2021 election where Museveni again won, but the election itself was marred with widespread abuses..Human Rights Watch — an international non-government organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights — said in it's 2022 world report, in the time surrounding the election, security forces arrested and beat opposition supporters and journalists, as well as killed protesters at opposition rallies..Just before the election, the government shut down the internet for five days and restricted access to social media sites. The authorities also restricted citizens' rights to assemble and freely move about, in particular for political opposition leaders. Opposition members and journalists were beaten and, at times, detained..During election campaigning, media coverage of opposition party candidates was banned by the authorities. Months before the election, several abductions and arrests of opposition supporters, government critics, and other protesters took place..Barbara Nichols, with NHRI, told the Western Standard she, with the help of MP Blake Desjarlais who represents the Edmonton Griesbach constituency, launched a petition to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in the House of Commons. ."It is a sad reality that many refugees such as Issa are not connected to adequate supports while they see Canada as a safe haven," reads the petition.."If Issa Mafabi is deported, he will likely be murdered for a crime that he did not commit.".Petition e-4101 said Mafabi's deportation would "severely impact his community and family" as he has been a "valuable member of the community in Edmonton" volunteering for such organizations as the African Centre. .The petition — which currently has 329 signatures — is calling on the Immigration Minister Sean Fraser to stop the deportation of Mafabi. .The Western Standard sought comment from the ministry of immigration, CBSA, and Mafabi's current immigration lawyer but did not hear back in time for publishing.
