How global allies should respond to the murder of David Kato

How global allies should respond to the murder of David Kato

29 January 2011

Our dear friend and colleague, David Kato, was brutally murdered on Wednesday, 26 January 2011. David was the advocacy officer of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and a longtime leading activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights.



The condolences and offers of support from the global community have been tremendous. On behalf of David’s family, colleagues and friends, we thank all of you. We fully understand that many of you are full of sadness and anger and would like to take action on David’s behalf. However, we believe that first and foremost Ugandan civil society must be respected in leading and coordinating events and actions over the coming weeks and months. We also believe that it is crucial that we as Ugandans are able to document the national and international response to David’s brutal murder, which requires your regular communication with us. 



WHAT ACTION TO TAKE:



· Send letters urging the Government of Uganda (contact information below) to take the following steps:


- Publicly condemn David's murder.

- Carry out a full and fair investigation into David’s murder.
- Prosecute the perpetrator(s) to the fullest extent of the law. 

- Investigate David’s hacked email account in the days preceding his death.

- Assume that, until proven otherwise, David’s death was motivated by homophobia and not routine or arbitrary violence.

- Communicate frequently with LGBT leaders throughout the investigation into David’s murder.
- Ensure that members of Uganda’s LGBT community have adequate protection from violence.

- Take prompt action against all threats or hate speech likely to incite violence, discrimination or hostility toward LGBT Ugandans.

- Eliminate any possibility of consideration or passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.


· Contact your own governmental authorities and urge them to communicate these concerns to the Ugandan authorities in direct and private advocacy.


· Continue to expose and denounce US conservative evangelicals spreading homophobia in Uganda


· Organize respectful and non-violent vigils at the Ugandan embassy or consulate in your country.


HOW TO TAKE ACTION:



· Inform SMUG of all action you take around David’s murder, So that we can monitor all developments. Send copies of your press releases, statements, audio/video recordings of vigils, pictures, and action plans on this subject to SMUG email : [email][email protected]



· Ensure that you do not spread misinformation. A highly political and delicate investigation is underway in a dangerous environment in Uganda, and therefore misinformation could be seriously damaging. We call for respectful responses towards David Kato’s murder and not to use this tragic incident for fund raising campaigns.

We thank and encourage everyone who has supported SMUG’s work to continue with us in the fight for LGBT rights.



CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE UGANDAN GOVERNMENT:



President of The Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Museveni
Parliament Building
PO Box 7168
Kampala, Uganda

Email: [email][email protected]

Fax: + 256 414 346 102

Salutation: Your Excellency



Inspector General of Police
Major Kale Kayihura

Police Headquarters

PO Box 7055
Kampala, Uganda

Fax: + 256 414 255 630

Salutation: Dear Major



Minister of Justice Hon. Makubuya Kiddu
Parliament Building

PO Box 7183
Kampala, Uganda

Email: [email][email protected]

Fax: + 256 414 234 453
Salutation: Dear Minister




SMUG Contacts:



Frank Mugisha: +1 646 436 1858; [email][email protected]

Val Kalende: +1 857-247-1184; kalendenator@ gmail.com



Pepe Julian: +256 772 370 674; [email][email protected]