UGANDA.— Enock Nsubuga has been sentenced by a Ugandan court for the brutal murder of gay rights activist David Kato.
The 30 year sentence was passed down by Justice Joseph Mulangira after Nsubuga admitted to have murdered David Kato.
Before he was murdered in January, Kato had been featured in an anti-gay tabloid, The Rolling Stone.
Kato’s name and photograph were included in a list of the African nation’s “top 100 homosexuals.” The front cover of the magazine read “Hang Them” with a picture of David Kato in the background.
According to Kato’s lawyer, the activist had feared for his safety prior to his death, even alerting authorities about his concerns.
Enoch Nsubuga, 22, said that he attacked Kato after Kato made sexual advances towards him.
According to Nsubuga, Kato promised to pay him money for having sex with him.
Nsubuga told authorities that he became upset when Kato did not pay, he then took a hammer from the bathroom and beat Kato to death.
Kato’s twin brother John Mulumba Wasswa said that he approved of the sentence.
“It was obvious that he was responsible … I did not expect anything else to happen,” Wasswa said.
The case drew worldwide condemnation and concern for gay rights.
Homosexuality is illegal in most countries in Africa. In Uganda, homosexual acts are punishable by anywhere from 14 years to life in prison.
According to rights activists, few Africans are openly gay, fearing imprisonment, violence, and discrimination.
November 14, 2011
Africa, Uganda