Remembering David Kato

David Kato

Today marks two years since Ugandan gay rights pioneer David Kato was brutally murdered.

David Kato Remembered | a Hero then and a Hero now

Kato was among the 100 people whose names and photographs were published in October 2010 by  Giles Muhame in the Ugandan tabloid newspaper Rolling Stone in an article which not only outed him and the others, but also alluded to their execution through an the caption “HANG THEM,” which appeared next to a picture of a noose.  Together with others outed LGBTI Ugandans such as  Kasha Jaqueline Nabagesera and  Pepe Julian Onziema (SMUG), Kato  successfully  sued the newspaper to force it to stop publishing the names and pictures.  of people it believed to be gay or lesbian. The court ordered the newspaper to pay Kato and the other two plaintiffs  US$600.

David Kato’s story as an activist is elucidated in the must watch documentary film, “Call Me Kuchu,” and if you never had the opportunity to know or meet David, after watching the film, you will feel as if he is your brother too.  The film received acclaim around the world and played to an historic 6 minute standing ovation in the Castro, San Francisco.  In the midst of making the film, David Kato was murdered, sending friends,  his dear family and dedicated comrades around the world into deep shock and grief.

Memorial On 2nd Anniversary Of Slain Uganda Gay Activist, David Kato

Considered a father of Uganda's gay rights movement and described as "Uganda’s first openly gay man,” Kato was a teacher by profession.  He served as the advocacy officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), an LGBTI advocacy group, at the time of his death...

The memorial service is scheduled to begin at 3-6 pm at St Paul's reconciliation and Equality Center and members of SMUG, his family and other LGBTI activist are expected to attend.

Call Me Kuchu - the Guardian Film Show interview  (video)