Uganda gay rights activist killed

A Ugandan gay rights campaigner who last year sued a local newspaper which touted him as a homosexual has been beaten to death.



Homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda, with punishments of 14 years in prison.

Police have confirmed the death of David Kato but say they are investigating the circumstances.



Uganda's Rolling Stone newspaper had published the photographs of several people it said were gay next to a headline reading hang them.



Meanwhile, witnesses report that a man entered Kato's home near Kampala, and beat him to death before leaving.



His Sexual Minorities Uganda (Smug) group said Kato had been receiving death threats since his name, photograph and address were published by Rolling Stone last year.



Human Rights Watch has called for a swift investigation into his death.