Gays in Uganda are worried that threats against homosexuals in Uganda may have turned from theoretical threats to practical levels, following the murder of a gay rights activist.
David Kisule Kato, 46, one of the over 100 men listed in a local tabloid Rolling Stone as homosexuals who “should be hanged” was murdered in mysterious circumstances.
The police in Kampala say Kato died from injuries after he was hit on the head at his home in Mukono District on Wednesday aftrnoon.
The Deputy Police Spokesman for Kampala Metropolitan, Vincent Ssekate says Kato died as he was being rushed to Mulago hospital after attackers hit him with a hammer on the head at around mid-day on Wednesday before locking him in the house.
Ssekate says the police are taking the case seriously and detectives and scene of crime officers spent the day picking fingerprints on the furniture and interviewing neighbours of the late Kato.
Some of residents told police they became suspicious after a man who had entered Kato’s house Wednesday afternoon came out some minutes later dressed in Kato’s shoes and covering his face with a jacket.
“When they went to check on Kato, they found the door locked. They forced their way in and found Kato lying unconscious. He died as they were taking him to Mulago hospital,” Sekate told journalists in Kampala on Thursday.
Ssekate however warned that it is still too early to conclude that the murder of Kato is related to his belonging to the gay minorities group or being listed in the Tabloid newspaper. “The police are requesting whoever has information on the attackers to come forward with it so the perpetrators can be arrested and tried,” Sekate said.
Gays in Uganda today called for thorough investigations into the murder of Kato and asked the police to re-assure gays that they will be protected from any such attacks.
There have been increased campaigns against gays and homosexuals in Uganda over the past two years following the drafting of Anti Homosexuality Bill by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati. The bill that was presented before but is yet to be passed by the parliament of Uganda seeks stronger punishments against homosexuals, promoters and supporters of homosexuals.