Kampala, Uganda
Mourners will gather on Friday to say goodbye to an activist from Uganda of gay rights who was beaten to death with a hammer in her home near the capital.
bereaved family and friends gathered at the scene of the issues in detail if David Kato was the victim of homophobia.
Last year was his name and photo printed on the cover of a tabloid newspaper, which called for homosexuals to be executed. The story, which included a banner that said: "Hang them, has revived anti-gays and feelings caused outrage among gay rights groups worldwide.
Police said initial investigations focused on the flight in Mukono district difficult. Kato money and clothing were missing after the attack, authorities said.
But some human rights activists said his death was linked to his campaign.
"I'm very angry ... because who knew David knew that dynamic. He had no problems. It was just an activist," said Giulio Kaggwa, defender of human rights for the East African nation. "This is a hate crime to me. Really, frankly, is a hate crime."
arrest warrant issued against two suspects, authorities said.
Kato told CNN last year that he feared for his life after the list was published. His lawyer said officials in his neighborhood, near Kampala were aware of their concerns.
"The villagers want to set your own house on fire," he said at the time. "They want to burn my house. ... (They say) 'You can go away before the house burned down?"
The activists called on authorities in the African nation to investigate the murder. They urged the government to protect homosexuals against violence, and acting on threats and hostility against them.
"The death of David Kato is a tragic loss to human rights groups. David has faced increased risks for lesbians Uganda, gay, bisexual and transgender courageously and will be sorely missed," said Maria Burnett, senior researcher for Africa at Human Rights Watch.
U.S. President Barack Obama said he was sad death of Kato, which he called "a powerful advocate for justice and freedom."
He urged the country's authorities to investigate and hold accountable the officials responsible.
Earlier this year, Kato and two activists won a lawsuit against the magazine which published the list. The court ruled that the media in Uganda are not authorized to disclose details of potential or known homosexuals in the country.
The editor of Rolling Stone, the tabloid that published the list, condemned the attacks and said he sympathized with the family of the victim.
"When we suspended the gay, wanted to ... when I went through the legal process," said Giles Muhame. "I ask them have been killed in cold blood as he did."
Rolling Stone tabloid is not affiliated with the U.S. music magazine with the same name.
Being gay is illegal in many countries in Africa, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism. In Uganda, homosexual sexual acts are punishable by 14 years to life in prison, according to the defenders.
Ugandan legislators to shelve a controversial anti-gay proposal introduced in 2009 that would impose severe sanctions against homosexuality - including life imprisonment and capital punishment.