Mourners to remember gay rights activist beaten to death

CNN reports: Mourners will gather today to say goodbye to a Ugandan gay rights activist who was beaten to death with a hammer in his home near the capital.

Weeping family and friends gathered at the scene as questions lingered over whether David Kato was a victim of homophobia.

Late last year, his name and photo were printed on the cover of a tabloid newspaper that called for gays to be executed. The story, which included a banner that said "Hang Them," reignited anti-gay sentiments and sparked an outcry from gay rights groups worldwide.

Police said initial investigations are focusing on robbery in his rough Mukono neighborhood. Kato's money and some clothes were missing after the attack, authorities said.

But some human rights activists said his death was tied to his campaign.

"I'm very angry ... because everybody who knew David knew he was dynamic. He did not have any trouble. He was just a an activist," said Julius Kaggwa, a human rights advocate in the east African nation. "This to me is a hate crime. Really, to put it bluntly, it is a hate crime."

Arrest warrants have been issued for two suspects, authorities said.

Activists urged authorities in the east African nation to investigate the killing. They called on the government to protect homosexuals from violence, and act on threats and hostility toward them.

"David Kato's death is a tragic loss to the human rights community. David had faced the increased threats to Ugandan lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people bravely and will be sorely missed," said Maria Burnett, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.

U.S. President Barack Obama said he was saddened by the death of Kato, whom he called a "powerful advocate for fairness and freedom."

He urged the nation's authorities to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.