Kampala, (UG):- The Ugandan Police have launched a manhunt for one Mudde Arthur, a renowned gay man and outspoken activist of the LGBT community in Uganda over allegations of his connection to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups in the East African country.
The 21-year-old Mudde Arthur witchhunt comes in the wake of debate on the harsh anti-gay law recently tabled before parliament that punishes “aggravated homosexuality” with life imprisonment, after the MP behind the bill, Hon David Bahati, revealed that the clause proposing the death penalty will be dropped
Kampala-based sources indicate that following the passing of the bill, a section of Ugandans who have publicly confessed belonging to the LGBT community are actively being hunted by authorities and Arthur is not spared either.
Arthur Mudde, one of the leaders under the Youth Aware Organization which supports and promotes gay rights in the country is accused of indulging in the vice that goes against the country’s harsh laws, according to Ugandan authorities.
He was first arrested last month when police raided a popular in Kampala and detained many of the LGBT members before subjecting them to harsh treatment while in custody, according to local reports.
Eight days later, Arthur Mudde and colleagues were released on police bond but the trio disappeared and absconded from reporting to police ever since then, prompting a serious manhunt from authorities.
Speaking to the media on Monday, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said a bounty of Shs10m in cash has now been offered for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the fugitive Arthur Mudde, along with two other gay activists Faustine Niyonzima and Derrick Kyobe.
“He disappeared while on bond last month and has not appeared ever since. Anyone with information regarding where he is or his whereabouts, please contact your police immediately,” Mr Ssenkumbi said.
“A cash reward of 10,000,000 shillings is awaiting,” he added.
Mudde Arthur is not the only individual being actively pursued by authorities in Uganda for being an LGBT activist. Over the years, gay people in the East African country had come to believe progress was being made in defence of their rights in a country where homophobia is rampant.
In 2012 they held their first gay pride parade and have sometimes joined street marches in support of all human rights.
But a recent wave of violence and abuse against LGBT people, including the beating of a lesbian by a doctor, and a mob attack on a Rwandan refugee leaves the community in fear of homophobia and transphobia.
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