KAMPALA, Uganda — A prominent Ugandan gay-rights activist whose picture was published by an antigay newspaper next to the words “Hang Them” was bludgeoned to death. Police said last week his sexual orientation had nothing to do with the killing and that one “robber” had been arrested.
Activists were outraged over the death of David Kato, an advocacy officer for the gay-rights group Sexual Minorities Uganda. His slaying comes after a year of stepped-up threats against gays in Uganda, where a controversial bill has proposed the death penalty for some homosexual acts.
Kato, who had received multiple threats, was found Jan. 26 with serious wounds to his head caused by an attack with a hammer at his home in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Kato later died on the way to the hospital.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues,” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said. “We urge Ugandan authorities to quickly and thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for this heinous act. David Kato tirelessly devoted himself to improving the lives of others.
Human Rights Watch called for an urgent investigation, saying that Kato’s work as a prominent gay-rights campaigner had previously seen him face threats to his safety.
A Ugandan tabloid newspaper called Rolling Stone listed a number of men they said were homosexuals last year, including Kato. Kato’s picture was published on the front page, along with his name and a headline that said “Hang Them.”
Kato and two other gay activists sued the paper over claims it had violated their constitutional rights to privacy and won the case earlier this month. A judge issued an injunction banning the publication of the identities of alleged homosexuals.
A police spokesperson, Vincent Sekatte, said Kato was killed by robbers who have so far killed more than 10 people in that area in the past two months. He said there was no indication the death was connected to any anti-homosexual sentiment. Kato was hit by a hammer that has been recovered by police, Sekatte said.
Kato’s lawyer told The Associated Press on Jan. 27 that his client had become noticeably more worried about his safety in the wake of the Rolling Stone publication.
Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and gays face regular harassment. A controversial bill introduced in 2009, still before the country’s parliament, would see the death penalty introduced for certain homosexual acts. The bill prompted international condemnation and hasn’t come up for a vote.