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Ugandan LGBT rights advocate John Abdallah Wambere has applied for asylum in the United States, citing an environment of fear, persecution and state-sponsored violence against homosexuals in his home country.

Wambere is known for his work with Spectrum Uganda Initiatives, an organization that advocates for LGBT rights and provides health and education services.

On May 6, he announced his intent to seek asylum at a press conference in Boston. Wambere currently resides in Cambridge, Mass.

According to a statement in support of his asylum application, Wambere says he left Uganda for the U.S. on Feb. 20, and at that time he planned to return home at the end of his visit.

Then, on Feb. 24, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the “Anti-Homosexuality Act”, a new law that criminalized not only homosexuality, but also the “aiding and abetting of homosexuality,” and “promoting homosexuality.”

Those convicted under the new law can expect to face sentences of up to 14 years in prison for a first-time offense, and up to life in prison for the offense of “aggravated homosexuality.”

“I have nowhere to go. Home is not safe, and it’s not even a place I would want to think about.”, Wambere said.

Although LGBT status has been considered grounds for asylum in the U.S. since 1994, winning refugee status can be difficult, particularly for those who were unable to obtain a visa to the U.S. before applying. Wambere said he fears that returning to Uganda could expose him to physical violence, life imprisonment or even the possibility of death.

Wambere’s U.S. visa expired last week, but he will be allowed to remain in the country while awaiting a decision on his asylum application.

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Carrie Stone