MP’s call on murdered campaigner

Labour MP for York Central, Hugh Bayley has now called for new legislation to be introduced by the Ugandan government to protect gay men and women following the death of David Kato.

The gay rights campaigner, who studied at York University’s Centre for Applied Human Rights last year, was beaten to death in his home in January after returning to Uganda.

Mr Bayley, who met the Speaker of the Uganda Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in London, paid tribute to Mr Kato at the York Pride Festival in Rowntree Park at the weekend.

He said: “David Kato was very brave to campaign for equal rights for homosexuals in Uganda. He made many friends in York during his time at the university, and they were appalled and devastated when he was murdered shortly after he returned to his own country. David Kato was an inspiration to the staff and students at the centre. He will not be forgotten.”