A prominent LGBT rights advocate in Uganda is presently in critical condition, according to his organisation. Sexual minorities have reported facing a wave of abuse since a stringent anti-gay law was adopted last year. The advocate was stabbed on Wednesday.
Coloured Voices Media Foundation-Truth to LGBTQ Uganda, had raken to X to say:
Steven Kabuye was “knifed to near death by unknown attackers a few meters from our home as he was heading for work this morning,”
The organisation had also shared a video that revealed Kabuye writhing in pain with an apparent bleeding wound on his wrist and a knife bulging from his stomach.
A police spokesman has said that he was unaware of the attack and would investigate it.
Frank Mugisha, Uganda’s most notable LGBT activist, has said that he believed the attack was fuelled by homophobia which was motivated by the country’s strict law.
The law stipulates the death penalty for certain same-sex acts. About seven people have been apprehended under it, and rights activists have reported that it has also led to an increase in abuse by private individuals against LGBT persons, including rapes, torture and beatings.
Meanwhile Uganda’s government has denied that this is happening and has said the law is meant to illegalise same-sex activity and its promotion, not penalise LGBT Ugandans.
