Kampala, Uganda
A Ugandan gay activist, whose name was published in a list of the country's main "gay man was beaten to death in her home near the capital, his lawyer said Thursday.
A neighbor found David Kato died, notified authorities, his lawyer said.
Kato money and clothing were missing after the attack, said John Onyango, his lawyer.
It is unclear whether Kato killing was related to his action, gay rights or a front page of a tabloid newspaper in Uganda that has revived the anti-gay end of last year.
The story contains a list of "Top 100 homosexuals" with photos, addresses, and the banner that says "hang them." Kato's name and image are on the list.
Arrest warrants were issued against two suspects: a taxi driver near the house of the victim and an ex-convict who was with Kato before the murder, "said Onyango.
Editor pronounce Uganda
Interview with gay persecution in Uganda
RELATED TOPICS
* Uganda
Kato told CNN last year that he feared for his life after the list was published. His lawyer said he had informed the authorities of the Mukono town where she lived, her fears.
"Residents want to burn my house," he told CNN at the time. "They want to burn my house ... (they say)" Can you go away before my house burned down? "
The authorities in Mukono criminal investigation unit declined to comment pending further investigation.
Activists denounce the attack and urged the African country's authorities to investigate the murder. They urged the Government to protect them against violence and act on threats and hostility towards them.
"David Kato's death is a tragic loss for the human rights community. David was faced with growing threats to Uganda LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), people with courage and we will miss him a lot," said Maria Burnett, principal investigator for Africa at Human Rights Watch.
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, denounced 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 magazine tabloid not linked to the American musical icon with the same name.
Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism.
A Ugandan gay activist, whose name was published in a list of the country's main "gay man was beaten to death in her home near the capital, his lawyer said Thursday.
A neighbor found David Kato died, notified authorities, his lawyer said.
Kato money and clothing were missing after the attack, said John Onyango, his lawyer.
It is unclear whether Kato killing was related to his action, gay rights or a front page of a tabloid newspaper in Uganda that has revived the anti-gay end of last year.
The story contains a list of "Top 100 homosexuals" with photos, addresses, and the banner that says "hang them." Kato's name and image are on the list.
Arrest warrants were issued against two suspects: a taxi driver near the house of the victim and an ex-convict who was with Kato before the murder, "said Onyango.
Editor pronounce Uganda
Interview with gay persecution in Uganda
RELATED TOPICS
* Uganda
Kato told CNN last year that he feared for his life after the list was published. His lawyer said he had informed the authorities of the Mukono town where she lived, her fears.
"Residents want to burn my house," he told CNN at the time. "They want to burn my house ... (they say)" Can you go away before my house burned down? "
The authorities in Mukono criminal investigation unit declined to comment pending further investigation.
Activists denounce the attack and urged the African country's authorities to investigate the murder. They urged the Government to protect them against violence and act on threats and hostility towards them.
"David Kato's death is a tragic loss for the human rights community. David was faced with growing threats to Uganda LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), people with courage and we will miss him a lot," said Maria Burnett, principal investigator for Africa at Human Rights Watch.
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, denounced 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 magazine tabloid not linked to the American musical icon with the same name.
Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism.