Ugandan LGBT advocate murdered
Updated
Box Turtle Bulletin:
We have learned that Ugandan LGBT advocate David Kato Kisulle was murdered today at his home in Kampala. Frank Mugisha of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) has confirmed that the David’s body was identified at a hospital.
Update: I have also confirmed this with SMUG’s Pepe Julian Onziema, who identified David’s body in the hospital morgue. Police are investigating.The details surrounding his murder are unknown at this time. He was reportedly beaten in the skull with a hammer at his home. We do not yet know whether it was a single assailant or a group of people, nor do we know any other circumstances surrounding his death.
Update: More details from Human Rights Watch:
Witnesses told police that a man entered Kato’s home in Mukono at around 1 p.m. on January 26, 2011, hit him twice in the head and departed in a vehicle. Kato died on his way to Kawolo hospital. Police told Kato’s lawyer that they had the registration number of the vehicle and were looking for it.
David Kato was a spokesperson for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and one of the plaintiffs (or applicants) in the successful lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction against the Ugandan tabloid Rolling Stone (no relation to the U.S. publication of the same name). Kato was one of three applicants who had been named by the tabloid under a headline tagged “Hang Them!”Read it all.
More:This horrendous murder adds to the fears that LGBT Ugandans regularly face over their safety. Brenda Namigadde, a lesbian asylum seeker in the U.K. has been treatened with deportation back to Uganda. Just yesterday, she received an ominous message from M.P. David Bahati, the author of the infamous Anti-Homosexuality Bill, in which he said that Brenda must “repent or reform” when she returns home.We call upon the Archbishop of York and the Archbishop of Canterbury to raise concern for Namigadde's safety with the UK Home Secretary. We call upon the Archbishop of Uganda to add his voice to those who condemn the actions of Bahati, and of Rolling Stone.The Guardian on Wednesday had more on Namigadde's case.
Media reports confirm Box Turtle's initial reporting:
Ugandan Gay Rights Activist Is Beaten to Death - NYT
'Real and substantive' investigation urged after advocacy officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda bludgeoned to death - The Guardian
Prominent Ugandan gay activist brutally slain - AP
Ugandan gay rights activist bludgeoned to death - CNN
Giles Muhame, the 22-year-old editor of the newspaper, told Reuters he condemned the murder and that the paper had not wanted gays to be attacked. - Reuters Africa
There has been a recent spate of "iron-bar killings" - BBC, more
Pressure builds after murder of LGBT activist - Independent (Uganda)
Finally, from January 6, Pro-gay ruling spells disaster, say pastors - Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Update
Local report, with more details - Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Buzek calls for investigation into the death of Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato - European Parliament
Brutal Killing of Ugandan Gay Human Rights Defender - Sexual Minorities Ugandan
Please don´t forget that our very own spiritual leader and Anglican Hero, The Rt. Reverend Christopher Ssenyonjo, was pictured with David Kato on the front page of the Rolling Stone (not U.S. publication) in Uganda that suggested by banner--¨Hang Them¨--there was not any sign of moral direction to disregard ANY of the Ugandan anti-LGBTI Pogrom by Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, or the CAPA African Bishops who met in Entebbe, Uganda and further ignored the marginalizing and demonizing of LGBTI Anglican/others! When it comes to ¨loving oneanother¨ we FAIL in Uganda in a very sad and sick way--I call upon the Primates Meeting in Dublin to make a statement regarding the rising HATE CRIMES directed against LGBTI Anglicans/others in Uganda, Nigeria, Jamaica and England!
Lord, open their eyes to the reality of Lambeth l.l0 twisted deceit.
No Anglican Covenant until it becomes a Instrument of LOVE not more persecution, excluding and not-so-subtle hate and demeaning at Church.
Posted by Leonardo Ricardo![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 27, 2011 8:41 AM
This is precisely why we must not stop seeking full inclusion of GLBT people in the church and in society. Let them kick us out of their new communion and their "orthodox" religion and let's just do what we think Jesus wants us to do regardless of the cost. David Kato Kisulle did that. May he dance among the angels this day.
Posted by Peter Pearson![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 27, 2011 8:46 AM
Emphasis mine;
Giles Muhame, the 22-year-old editor of the newspaper, told Reuters he condemned the murder and that the paper had not wanted gays to be attacked.
I am sorry, then what did this lying fool mean with a banner headline that said Hang Them.
David Kato, Martyr
May you rest in peace and rise in glory.
Saint David, pray for those of us left to continue the struggle in your name.
Posted by Hermano David | Brother Dav•veed![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 27, 2011 9:51 AM
I have said here and in other venues that one life is worth more than having and Anglican Communion. If the cost championing the protection of the glbt and other minority communities around the world is that we are excluded from the Anglican Communion, then so be it.
Posted by Michael Russell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 27, 2011 12:45 PM