The Uganda Police have reopened a decade-old case against Kawooya David, a former teacher and human rights activist, who was arrested in 2014 on allegations of promoting homosexuality in schools.
According to police reports, Kawooya’s case was initially registered at Nabweru Police Station in Wakiso District. He was granted police bond but failed to report back, disappearing from authorities’ reach for the past ten years.
The decision to revisit the case came as law enforcement officials were reviewing old files that had not been officially closed. Among the unresolved cases was Kawooya’s, prompting investigators to summon his father, David Kigula, a resident of Kazo Central Zone. Police questioned Kigula regarding his son’s whereabouts, but he declined to provide any information.
Sources indicate that Kawooya fled Uganda shortly after his Police bond release and has been residing in the United States, where he has built a career as a music DJ. Reports further suggest that he remains connected to various LGBTQ+ groups in Uganda, allegedly providing them with financial support for advocacy and community projects.
David during a National Unity Platform rally in USA
Investigators claim that Kawooya has been secretly funding underground LGBTQ+ activities in Uganda, a move that authorities believe violates the country's strict anti-homosexuality laws.
Police are now reportedly trying to track his movements and establish whether legal action can be taken against him beyond Uganda’s borders.
The reactivation of Kawooya’s case comes in the wake of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was passed by Parliament in 2024. Under this law:
David as a Teacher in Uganda before his arrest
Ugandan authorities have intensified crackdowns on LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and individuals believed to be involved in promoting these relationships, with multiple arrests reported over the past year.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations have condemned the renewed case, calling it an attempt to suppress LGBTQ+ activism and further marginalize the community in Uganda that the crackdown violates fundamental human rights.
