- Stephen Kabwe, a prominent gay rights activist from Uganda, was hospitalized in critical condition after being stabbed.
- “Stephen claims that the intention of these two men was to kill him.'' not a robber He also claims that they have been following him for several days,” fellow activist Hans Senhuma wrote about the assault.
- Homosexual activity in Uganda is subject to significant cultural prejudice and, in some cases, legal scrutiny.
A prominent Ugandan gay rights activist was stabbed by an unknown assailant on Wednesday, and police said he was hospitalized in critical condition.
A video posted on social media platform X shows Stephen Kaboue writhing on the ground with a deep, long cut on his right arm and a knife stuck in his abdomen.
Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said Kabwe was found by residents after the attack and the activist was in critical condition.
Ugandan military helicopter crashes into private house during clash with rebels
Onyango said one of the two attackers, who arrived on a motorbike, tried to stab Kabwe in the neck.
“He (Kabwe) managed to protect his neck with his right arm and received a stab wound to his hand. Even though he tried to run away, the attackers chased him and stabbed him in the stomach,” Onyango said. .
In another post on X, Ugandan gay rights activist Hans Senhuma said the attackers were aiming to kill Kabwe.
“Stephen maintains that the two men's intent was to murder, not rob, and that they appeared to have been following him for several days,” Senhuma wrote.
Uganda's flag seen at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Activists in Uganda have expressed concern that a new law on homosexuality enacted last May will lead to more attacks on the gay community.
Homosexuality has long been illegal in Uganda under colonial-era laws that criminalize sexual acts “against the order of nature” and can carry life sentences if convicted. The new law added more crimes and penalties.
Kabwe had posted on X that he was deeply concerned about the impact of Uganda's 2023 anti-gay law.
“This law violates fundamental human rights and sets a dangerous precedent for discrimination and persecution against the LGBTQ+ community. Let us stand together and fight bigotry and hatred,” he said.
The new law provides for the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” Aggravated homosexuality is defined as sexual relations with people who are HIV-infected, minors, or other vulnerable people. “Aggravated attempted sodomy” carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
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Furthermore, “promoting” homosexuality carries a 20-year prison sentence, a broad category that affects everyone from journalists to rights activists and campaigners.
