A leading advocate for LGBTQ rights in Uganda fell victim to a brutal attack when unknown assailants on a motorbike stabbed Steven Kabuye, 25, as he made his way to work in Kampala.
The assault left Kabuye with serious knife wounds, prompting concern and condemnation from both the police and rights activists.
Discovered by local residents on the outskirts of Kampala, Kabuye was found in critical condition, with injuries sustained in what appeared to be a targeted attack. Authorities confirmed that Kabuye had received death threats, heightening concerns over the safety of LGBTQ individuals following Uganda’s implementation of stringent anti-gay laws in the past year.
Detailing the incident, police spokesman Patrick Onyango revealed Kabuye’s account of the attack, stating that two helmeted individuals on a motorcycle approached him. The passenger disembarked and initiated the assault, focusing on Kabuye’s neck with a knife.
Despite attempting to defend himself, Kabuye sustained wounds on his hand and stomach before being left by the assailants.
While Richard Lusimbo of the Uganda Key Populations Consortium described Kabuye’s condition as critical, police sources indicated that he was now out of immediate danger.
Efforts were underway to ensure Kabuye received adequate medical care while authorities sought to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Kabuye, associated with the Coloured Voices Media Foundation advocating for LGBTQ youth, disclosed to investigators that he had been under threat since March 2023. His return to Uganda during the Christmas season marked his first visit since traveling abroad earlier in the year.
Uganda’s implementation of anti-gay legislation in May has drawn widespread criticism, particularly for its severe penalties for consensual same-sex relations.
Rights advocates have vehemently opposed these laws, highlighting their detrimental impact on the LGBTQ community’s safety and welfare.
The legislation, labeled the Anti-Homosexuality Act, has sparked international outrage and legal challenges within Uganda, even as President Yoweri Museveni’s administration maintains its stance against Western pressure to accept homosexuality, emphasizing the sovereignty of African nations.
