UPDATE 11:30pm: A vigil for David Kato was held last night, Feb 2, by Pride Uganda at the 519 Community Centre. Story and photos here.
While reports say a man arrested for the murder of Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato has confessed, activists are calling it “too neat” and are demanding proof from police. 
“The prime suspect, Nsubuga Enock, was
arrested today at around 4pm when he went to visit his girlfriend,”
police spokesman Vincent Ssetake told Reuters.
“He
Advertisementhas confessed to the murder. It wasn’t a robbery and it wasn’t because
Kato was an activist. It was a personal disagreement, but I can’t say
more than that.”
The report adds that gay rights activists fear
police may try to cover up a motive of homophobia to protect Western
aid to the country. They want proof from
police that Kato was not killed because of his sexuality.
Kato was a prominent activist with Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). Just weeks before he was murdered in his home he successfully sued a local newspaper for publishing his name on a list of the nation’s “top homosexuals.”
David Kato
Kato was also a leader in challenging the proposed government anti-homosexuality
bill, which called for the death sentence for some homosexual acts.
An hour before the Reuters report from Kumpala, pseudonymous blogger “Gay Uganda” published a post about the arrest. He has reservations about the quick confession.
Well, very simple. The police had to make an arrest. And, they had to have a suitable motive. Cracking the case became a priority.
This guy was condemned as soon as the police sent out the flier saying the death was due to “aggravated robbery.” So, little suprise that he has been found, and confessed, immediately.
On Twitter? Follow him at @gayuganda.
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