Moord David Kato, Uganda Hang the gays bill

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the entire Ugandan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender and Intersex Community stands together to condemn the killing of David Kato
and call for the Ugandan Government, Civil Society, and Local Communities to protect
Sexual minorities across Uganda.

David was brutally beaten to death in his home today, 26 January 2011, around 2pm. Across
the entire country, straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Ugandans mourn
the loss of David, a dear friend, colleague, teacher, family member, and human rights
defender.

David has been receiving death threats since his face was put on the front page of Rolling
Stone Magazine, which called for his death and the death of all homosexuals. David’s death
comes directly after the Supreme Court of Uganda ruled that people must stop inciting
violence against homosexuals and must respect the right to privacy and human dignity.
Sexual Minorities Uganda and the Ugandan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and
Intersex Community call on the Police and the Government of Uganda to seriously
investigate the circumstances surrounding David’s death. We also call on religious leaders, political leaders and media houses to stop demonizing sexual minorities in Uganda since
doing so creates a climate of violence against gay persons. Val Kalende, the Chair of the
Board at Freedom and Roam Uganda stated that “David’s death is a result of the hatred
planted in Uganda by U.S Evangelicals in 2009. The Ugandan Government and the so-called U.S Evangelicals must take responsibility for David’s blood!”

As United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently declared, “I understand that
sexual orientation and gender identity raise sensitive cultural issues. But cultural practices
cannot justify any violation of human rights. . . . When our fellow humans are persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, we must speak out. . . . States bear the
primary responsibility to protect human rights advocates. I call on all States to ensure the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly that make their work possible. When the lives of human rights advocates are endangered, we are all less secure. When the voices of
human rights advocates are silenced, justice itself is drowned out.”

David’s life was cut short in a brutal manner. David will be deeply missed by his family and friends, his students, and Human Rights organizations throughout Uganda and around the
world. Speaking about what the death of David means in the struggle for equality, Frank Mugisha, the Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda 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 Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the entire Ugandan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Community stands together to condemn the killing of David Kato and call for the Ugandan Government, Civil Society, and Local Communities to protect sexual minorities across Uganda.

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG)

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