Uganda: Mob attacks activist, rushed to hospital
Blogger, activist and human rights advocate Melanie Nathan reported today that a Ugandan activist and human rights defender, Kelly Mukwano, was brutally beaten by a mob and taken to Nsambya hospital in Kampala.
He suffered multiple injuries, blood loss and an injured eye. Mr. Mukwano received treatment; he got deep stitches and was sent home.
The report states that he has been previously arrested by police several times in the recent past, but it is unknown whether he was charged by police.
In October, after another arrest, he was released on a police bond and this case is ongoing. These past arrests and harassment by police are apparently related to some blackmail attempts against Mukwano because he “is perceived to be gay” and has been labelled “a promoter,” likely as a result of his activism.
Ms. Nathan reported that:
“Activists in Uganda are shocked and heartbroken by the attack, noting that anti-gay persecution through evictions, firings, police harassment, arrests and assaults, is again on the rise.
He (Kelly Mukwano) recently attended the ILGA Conference in Mexico. He is heading up the “Hate No More” campaign and founded a small group in Uganda.”
Many activists are now forced to “stay away from the public eye“, but persevere nonetheless. We reported earlier this month that anti-gay legislators in Uganda have drafted a potential replacement law for the overturned Anti-Homosexuality Act. This constant and public push for more anti-gay laws by members of Uganda’s Parliament has inflamed the anti-gay hate among the authorities and the public. It’s unclear whether President Museveni will accept this latest proposal; he has suggested he wants to avoid more cutbacks in foreign aid because of Uganda’s anti-gay laws.
Editor’s note: This article was edited in November 30 from the original due to information received from a trusted Ugandan source (LJ).
Click here to read Melanie Nathan’s full story at her blog, O-blog-dee-o-blog-da.
Click here to read all of our previous stories on Uganda at 76Crimes.com.
Dear friends, how can we help Kelly Mukwano? How can we tell him the world is not indifferent to what happened? Is there a way we could express our support and say our great appreciation for his actions and courage in such a hostile country? I hope there are people around him to take good care of him in this sad time. Thank you for keeping us informed! With love. Bruno