On 26 January 2011, the Ugandan activist and human rights defender, David Kato Kisule, one of the most prominent representatives of the LGBTI community and member of the Italian association Certi Diritti, was found murdered at his residence in Kyetume, Mukono district, in Uganda.
NPWJ, Arcigay and the Italian radical association Certi Diritti, in cooperation with Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), have established the Uganda Legal Fund to honor his memory and courage. The aim of such Fund is to provide financial support to cover the expenses for a fair and accountable investigation and trial to establish the truth about his murder as well as to support LGBTI activists in Uganda.
In Uganda, government authorities, religious fundamentalists, and mass media supported also by part of the American right wing, continue to fuel sentiments of hate against members of the LGBTI community. Moreover, the Ugandan Government has still not given up on the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which would punish “aggravated homosexuality” with the death penalty.
Despite constant threats and harassment faced by LGBTI activists in Uganda, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), who David Kato Kisule was a founding member, continue its struggle for equality and justice for all. During his last trip in Europe, just a couple of weeks before being brutaly killed, David Kato addressed the annual congress of Certi Diritti, as well as the Italian and the European institutions asking to support LGBTI community in Uganda.
Through the establishment of the Uganda Legal Fund, NPWJ, Arcigay and Certi Diritti reinforce their commitment to support their sisters and brothers in Uganda, in their battle for the universal respect of fundamental human rights.
For further information on the Uganda legal Fund click here.
Contact: Elio Polizzotto (NPWJ), email: epolizzotto@npwj.org, phone: +32 2 548 39 21.
