Much was stolen, including a members list, and there was
suspicious destruction which suggests a homophobic motive.
The group say that Ugandan police have failed as of today to
provide any help at all or visit the crime scene, according to LGBT
Asylum News.
The location of LGBT group offices in Kampala, Uganda, is kept
secret because of the fear of harassment or attack.
The burglary was reported by FARUG leader Kasha Jacqueline
Nabagesera (pictured), who was given the prestigious Martin Ennals
Award for Human Rights Defenders in May. She wrote: "It is with
great sadness that I write to inform you that FARUG offices were
broken into on Saturday night. Five computers, two printers,
server, microwave and some docs including the members electronic
database were stolen."
"A jerrican of acid, one computer, all paddlocks filled with acid
and a huge metallic pipe were left in the compound. The office
lines were also taken and thus we shall only be able to be
contacted on our personal phones and the office mobile hotline,"
she wrote.
The office was empty at the time and the group expressed relief
that no one was physically harmed.
Nabagesera wrote that: "The mood is very low, trauma and worries
are filled with members. We also thank those that have helped thus
far, sending words of encouragement and also those that have
visited us since Saturday."
Nabagesera is a prominent and visible lesbian activist in Uganda.
In May she debated the lead author of the 'kill gays' bill, MP
David Bahati on Voice of America television. She has faced slander
and death threats and says she has to move from house-to-house as a
result.
FARUG had announced the launch of a anti-hate campaign next week.
Nabagesera wrote that this would be going ahead and a community
meeting for it would take place today in the burgled office.
