Human rights activist. He was born in the village of Nakawala with the full clan name of David Kato Kisule. He became Uganda's most prominently open gay citizen, called the father of the gay and transgender rights movement in Uganda. After a long residency in South Africa, he returned to Uganda in 1998 to take up this work. After leaving his career as a teacher, he served as an officer in a group he helped found, Sexual Minorities Uganda. International travel brought his message to the world concerning a pending Anti-Homosexuality Bill, with a clause to increase the penalty for gay activities to a maximum sentence of death. In October, 2010, Rolling Stone, a Ugandan tabloid, printed his photograph prominently on it's front page near the headline "Hang Them" and published his address and those of others it claimed were gay. When Kato and two others sued the tabloid, the Ugandan High Court ruled that the paper violated their constitutional rights and had to pay damages; many death threats followed the court ruling. He was murdered in his home at Mukono, Mukono District. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, said in part, "In Uganda, David showed tremendous courage in speaking out against hate. He was a powerful advocate for fairness and freedom. The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David's work." Navanethem Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said, "Today, we mark the loss of a remarkable man, a remarkable human rights activist." The BBC reported that the funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including such foreign diplomats as those from the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany. CNN also provided coverage. President Obama's full statement was read. The 2012 film, Call Me Kuchu, documents his life.
Human rights activist. He was born in the village of Nakawala with the full clan name of David Kato Kisule. He became Uganda's most prominently open gay citizen, called the father of the gay and transgender rights movement in Uganda. After a long residency in South Africa, he returned to Uganda in 1998 to take up this work. After leaving his career as a teacher, he served as an officer in a group he helped found, Sexual Minorities Uganda. International travel brought his message to the world concerning a pending Anti-Homosexuality Bill, with a clause to increase the penalty for gay activities to a maximum sentence of death. In October, 2010, Rolling Stone, a Ugandan tabloid, printed his photograph prominently on it's front page near the headline "Hang Them" and published his address and those of others it claimed were gay. When Kato and two others sued the tabloid, the Ugandan High Court ruled that the paper violated their constitutional rights and had to pay damages; many death threats followed the court ruling. He was murdered in his home at Mukono, Mukono District. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, said in part, "In Uganda, David showed tremendous courage in speaking out against hate. He was a powerful advocate for fairness and freedom. The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David's work." Navanethem Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said, "Today, we mark the loss of a remarkable man, a remarkable human rights activist." The BBC reported that the funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including such foreign diplomats as those from the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany. CNN also provided coverage. President Obama's full statement was read. The 2012 film, Call Me Kuchu, documents his life.
Gravesite Details
A member states that he has visited Mr. Kato's grave and that the marker gives his birth date as 13 Feb 1964.
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