Mukono , Uganda ( CNN ) -- A pastor rebuked homosexuals at the funeral of a Ugandan gay rights activist , prompting chaos as sympathizers stormed the pulpit and grabbed his microphone away . David Kato , 46 , a prominent rights campaigner in the east African nation , was beaten to death with a hammer this week in his house near the the capital , Kampala . His name and photo were printed on the cover of a tabloid newspaper late last year that called for gays to be executed under a banner that read : `` Hang them . '' His funeral spiraled into chaos after the pastor denounced homosexuals , saying they `` would go to hell . '' Mayhem ensued as mourners took away the pastor 's microphone and police whisked him away from the angry crowds . A sympathetic Anglican bishop stepped in and laid Kato to rest as hundreds gathered Friday in the small hillside village outside the capital , Kampala . Mourners included embassy staff and diplomats from various countries , and members of the lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender community . Activists wore black T-shirts with Kato 's picture on it and rainbow colored-flags associated with the gay pride . Tears -- and tributes -- flowed as family members wailed while others collapsed . A statement was read from U.S. President Barack Obama , who condemned the killing and urged authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice . Police have said initial investigations are focusing on robbery in Kato 's rough Mukono neighborhood , but rights activists said he was a victim of homophobia . One suspect -- Kato 's driver -- has been arrested while another man is still at large , authorities said . The second suspect is an ex-convict who was staying with Kato before his death . Human rights activist Naomi Ruzindana said the killing is not a robbery gone wrong . `` I do n't think it 's a coincidence that it happened ... he had got threats over and again , '' she said . Earlier this year , Kato and two activists won a case against the magazine that published the list . The court ruled that media in Uganda are barred from releasing details of known or potential homosexuals in the country . Homosexuality is illegal in most countries in Africa , where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism . In Uganda , homosexual acts are punishable by 14 years to life in prison , according to rights activists . Ugandan lawmakers shelved a controversial `` anti-gay '' proposal introduced in 2009 that would impose tough penalties against homosexuality -- including life imprisonment and the death penalty .
Pastor berates homosexuals , says they 'll `` go to hell '' Mourners storm the pulpit and take away his microphone . The prominent Ugandan gay rights activist faced threats after his picture was published in a magazine . The magazine called for gays to be executed .