Ugandan teen died of beating, not suicide
Lule, Gala-Uganda | January 6, 2004
KAMPALA, Uganda — December 19, 2003: Following the report of Paula
Rwomushana's death, further investigations reveal that she may have
died as a result of her beatings and did not commit suicide.
A Redpepper report indicated that she may have committed suicide after
the humiliation of a beating in front of her school mates, which she
was given after school authorities discovered that she may be a
lesbian. When a representative from Gala-Uganda spoke to people close
to Paula they discovered that it was not suicide and that she may have
died as a result of the beating itself.
"I visited Kabalagala Police Station to establish the truth
behind Paula’s death. When I reached there I was referred to Katwe
Police since Kabalagala didn’t handle the case." Behind the Mask were
told.
"On my way I decided to have a word with the mother of the
deceased. I reached St Francis Hospital Nsabya and I asked to see Mr. /
Mrs. Rwomusana."
Mr Rwomusana wasn’t around however and the Gala representative
was told that he was too busy to speak to him. He then went to St
Joseph Secondary School which is right opposite the hospital, but the
headmistress denied him a reception.
"I managed to talk to some people around, who told me that the
girl actually died after the beating that she never committed suicide."
Paula died in her bed but never committed suicide.
Gala Uganda have written to the Government demanding its
response towards Paula's death after finding out that she was beaten
and later died - all because she was a lesbian.
"It a dilemma since the mother works with St Francis hospital
which is affiliated with the school where the incident occurred and
both are funded by the Catholic mission. Her friend told me she fears
to lose her job if we open up a law suit against the school." Gala told
Behind the Mask.
Gala are considering a charge of manslaughter and have demanded that
the Government intervene, through a press release dated December 13,
2003. They have also demanded that the results of the postmortem be
release so that the cause of death can be confirmed. The press release
which has already run on 2 radio stations in Uganda also implies that
Paula's death could be construed as "State inspired purge on the LGBT
community."
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