Arson: Ugandan Gay Activist's Home Burned

Najib Kabuye is the treasurer of a human rights youth organisation. On Sunday July 3rd, he escaped his burning home after neighbours responded to his alarms, broke padlocks and let him escape. The house was rented, but Mr. Kabuye lost almost all his belongings. Why? - He had been approached by youths earlier that day, who accused him of recieving foreign grants to promote homosexuality- a common charge against LGBTI activists since David Ssempa claimed the existence of an international Gay conspiracy to recruit Ugandan children into homosexuality, possibly in retaliation for significant evidence that his "ministry" was heavily bank-rolled by American fundamentalists.

It is a clever tactic in a poor country: to spread rumours that LGBTI people are getting financial support from international sources to 'corrupt' young people with expensive gifts most ordinary Ugandans may never afford; it stirs up hatred and jealousies that somehow justify horrific violence in the mind of perpetrators. It is clear that these attacks will make it increasingly difficult for LGBTI people -or those SUSPECTED of being LGBTI to find accommodation: landlords will fear loss of property and neighbours will fear their properties might be affected by attacks on LGBTI residents. The myth of "international aid" being paid directly to individual activists has already led to attacks by people demanding this cash be handed over to them.

I am thankful that Mr Kabuye escaped with his life, unlike David Kato, murdered in Uganda on January 26th 2011.