Private Uluilakeba speaks out

A Fijian man who has served in the British army and was wounded in Iraq has spoken out for the first time and said he will refuse to leave the UK, even if the British Government rejects his re application for permanent residency.

Epeli Uluilakeba was wounded during his first tour of Iraq and sent back for a second stint.

Private Uluilakeba was later dismissed from the British Armed Forces after serving time in a military prison for threatening a fellow soldier after he suffered post traumatic stress disorder.

Fijian soldiers have to serve with the British Army for 22 years, to gain the maximum benefits, like residency and a pension.

With little to go back to in Fiji, Private Uluilakeba applied for a permanent residency permit to stay in the UK.

Without citing a reason, it was rejected by the Foreign Office.

Private Uluilakeba is living rent free with some of his Fijian cousins in England.

He’s is not allowed to claim benefits, work, or open a bank account.

Radio Australia said both he and his supporters say the military didn’t provide him with enough physical or physiological support, and are vowing to fight to allow him to stay in the UK.

Uluilakeba said Fijians are not treated very well in the UK.