Ugandan gay rights activist beaten to death

David Kato

A Ugandan gay rights campaigner who sued a newspaper for publishing the names and photos of gay people has been beaten to death.

David Kato’s death is being investigated by police and activists say he was attacked in his home near Kampala yesterday afternoon.

His name, photograph and address were published by the tabloid newspaper Rolling Stone last year and he is said to have received death threats.

Mr Kato, along with a few others, complained to a judge about Rolling Stone’s anti-gay campaign and the newspaper was ordered to cease outing gays and lesbians.

Sexual Minorities Uganda called him a “dear friend, colleague, teacher, family member and human rights defender”.

Frank Mugisha, of the group, said: “No form of intimidation will stop our cause. The death of David will only be honored when the struggle for justice and equality is won. David is gone and many of us will follow, but the struggle will be won. David wanted to see a Uganda where all people will be treated equally despite their sexual orientation.”

The Human Rights Campaign has called for a full investigation into his death.

"Hang them!"

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and an MP introduced a bill last year to punish “aggravated” cases with the death penalty.

Giles Muhame, the editor of Rolling Stone, told Reuters he condemned the murder but still wanted the government to hang gay people.

He said: “If he has been murdered, that’s bad and we pray for his soul.

“There has been a lot of crime, it may not be because he is gay. We want the government to hang people who promote homosexuality, not for the public to attack them. We said they should be hanged, not stoned or attacked.”

Source: Pink News, January 27, 2011

David Kato buried as pastor condemns homosexuality

Ugandan gay rights campaigner David Kato was buried today but scuffles broke out at his funeral as the pastor urged gays to repent.

Mr Kato, who was murdered in his home on Wednesday, was laid to rest in his village near Kampala.

Around 300 people attended the ceremony, including around 100 gays and lesbians.

US president Barack Obama sent a message to mourners, calling Mr Kato a “powerful advocate for fairness and freedom”.

He urged Ugandan authorities to find and punish Mr Kato’s killers.

Mr Kato’s body was displayed overnight in an open casket at his parents’ home and mourners at his funeral today wore t-shirts with his picture on.

But reports say that the ceremony was disturbed when the pastor began urging gays and lesbians to repent.

According to Reuters, the unnamed pastor told the crowd: “The world has gone crazy.

“People are turning away from the scriptures. They should turn back, they should abandon what they are doing. You cannot start admiring a fellow man.”

Mr Kato’s friends angrily stormed the pulpit before the pastor was taken away.

The activist’s friends had to bury his coffin because villagers refused to do it, reports said.

He was killed several months after suing a newspaper for publishing his name, address and photo in a homophobic campaign.

Source: Pink News, January 28, 2011
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