David Kato facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Kato
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| Born | c. 1964 Nakawala, Mukono, Uganda
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| Died | 26 January 2011 (aged 46–47) Bukusa, Mukono, Uganda
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| Known for | LGBT rights activist |
David Kato Kisule (born around 1964 – died January 26, 2011) was a brave Ugandan teacher and activist. He worked hard for the equal rights of all people, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). Many people saw him as a leader in Uganda's movement for LGBT rights. He was even called "Uganda's first openly gay man." David Kato was an important part of an organization called Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG).
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David Kato's Early Life
David Kato was born in a village called Nakawala, in the Mukono District of Uganda. He was named "Kato" because he was the younger of twin brothers. He went to good schools, including King's College Budo and Kyambogo University.
He worked as a teacher at different schools. In 1991, he realized more about his own identity. Because of this, he was sadly dismissed from his teaching job without any benefits. Later, he shared his true identity with his twin brother, John Malumba Wasswa.
David then taught for a few years in Johannesburg, South Africa. At that time, South Africa was changing to become a country where people of all races were treated equally. This experience showed him how important it was to fight for equal rights for LGBT people. When he returned to Uganda in 1998, he decided to share his identity publicly at a press conference. Because of this, he was arrested and held by the police for a week. Even so, he kept in touch with other activists outside Uganda who supported LGBT rights.
In 2002, David Kato joined the staff at St Herman Nkoni Boys Primary School.
Working with SMUG
David Kato became very involved with the movement for LGBT rights in Uganda. This movement often had to work in secret because of the challenges they faced. He was one of the people who helped start SMUG on March 3, 2004.
In November 2009, David Kato spoke at a meeting about human rights. He talked about LGBT rights and how difficult it was for LGBT people in Uganda. Some people at the meeting made jokes and laughed during his speech.
There was a rumor that a politician named David Bahati wanted David Kato arrested. Because of this, David Kato and other SMUG members left the meeting right after he finished speaking. After they left, the politician spoke strongly against homosexuality. Many people at the meeting clapped loudly.
By 2010, David Kato decided to stop teaching school. He wanted to focus all his energy on his work with SMUG. He was given a special opportunity to study at the University of York in the United Kingdom. This program helps human rights activists who are in danger in their home countries.
The Rolling Stone Newspaper Case
In October 2010, a Ugandan newspaper called Rolling Stone published the names and photos of 100 people. The article said these people were homosexual and called for them to be killed. David Kato was one of the people on this list. The photos were printed with the headline "Hang them" and included people's home addresses.
David Kato, along with two other SMUG members named Kasha Nabagesera and Pepe Julian Onziema, took the newspaper to court. They wanted the newspaper to stop publishing the names and pictures of people they believed to be gay or lesbian.
On November 2, 2010, the court agreed with David Kato and his friends. The court ordered the Rolling Stone newspaper to stop printing such articles. The newspaper also had to pay money to David Kato and the other two people. This was a big victory for human rights.
David Kato's Death
On January 26, 2011, David Kato was attacked and badly hurt in his home. He sadly passed away while being taken to the hospital.
His funeral was held on January 28, 2011. His family, friends, and fellow activists were there. Many wore t-shirts with his photo and rainbow colors, showing their support for his cause.
Reactions and Tributes
Many people and organizations around the world were very sad and angry about David Kato's murder. Human Rights Watch, a group that protects human rights, strongly spoke out against it.
US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and the European Union also condemned his murder. They asked Ugandan authorities to investigate the crime. They also urged leaders to speak out against hatred and unfair treatment of LGBT people.
In 2011, a theater group in Boston and musician Serj Tankian dedicated their play to David Kato and other activists. They wanted to give a voice to those who are silenced or in danger.
A Gay Pride event in York, United Kingdom, also honored David Kato. People observed a moment of silence and released hundreds of rainbow-colored balloons in his memory.
An award called the David Kato Vision & Voice Award was created to remember him. The first award was given in 2012 to a Jamaican LGBT rights activist named Maurice Tomlinson.
In 2014, David Kato was honored in the Legacy Walk in Chicago, Illinois. This is an outdoor display that celebrates LGBT history and important people.
On June 16, 2021, the University of York announced that a new college on its campus would be named David Kato College. This was a special honor, as it was the first college there named after a person of African descent.
Documentary Films About David Kato
David Kato was interviewed by filmmakers Katherine Fairfax Wright and Malika Zouhali-Worrall for a documentary film about his life. The film is called Call Me Kuchu and was first shown in 2012. A shorter film using parts of this documentary was put on the New York Times website on the first anniversary of his death.
David Kato also met filmmaker Roger Ross Williams shortly before he died. David's story helped inspire Williams to make the documentary God Loves Uganda (2013). This film explores the connections between Christian groups in North America and Uganda.
See also
In Spanish: David Kato para niños
- Abiding Truth Ministries
- LGBT rights in Uganda
