Kampala , Uganda ( CNN ) -- A Ugandan gay rights activist whose name was published on a list of the nation 's `` top homosexuals '' was bludgeoned to death in his home near the capital , his lawyer said Thursday . A neighbor found David Kato dead and notified authorities , according to the lawyer , John Onyango . Kato 's money and some clothes were missing after the attack , Onyango said . It was unclear whether Kato 's killing was linked to his gay rights activism or a front-page story in a Ugandan tabloid that reignited anti-gay sentiments late last year . The story included a list of `` top 100 homosexuals '' with their photos , addresses and a banner with the words `` Hang Them . '' Kato 's name and picture were on the list . Arrest warrants have been issued for two suspects : a taxi driver found near Kato 's house and an ex-convict who was staying with Kato before the killing , Onyango said . Kato told CNN last year that he feared for his life after the list was released . His lawyer said he had informed authorities in Mukono , the town where he lived , of his fears . `` The villagers want to set my house ablaze , '' he told CNN at the time . `` They want to burn my house . ... ( They say , ) 'Can you go away before my house is burned ? ' '' Authorities in the Mukono criminal investigations department declined to comment pending further investigation . Activists decried the attack , and urged authorities in the east African nation to investigate the killing . They called on the government to protect them from violence , and act on threats and hostility toward them . `` David Kato 's death is a tragic loss to the human rights community . David had faced the increased threats to Ugandan LGBT ( lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender ) people bravely and will be sorely missed , '' said Maria Burnett , senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch . U.S. President Barack Obama said he was saddened by the death of Kato , whom he called a `` powerful advocate for fairness and freedom . '' `` At home and around the world , LGBT persons continue to be subjected to unconscionable bullying , discrimination , and hate , '' the president said in a written statement . `` In the weeks preceding David Kato 's murder in Uganda , five members of the LGBT community in Honduras were also murdered . It is essential that the governments of Uganda and Honduras investigate these killings and hold the perpetrators accountable . '' 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 . The editor of the Rolling Stone , the tabloid that published the list , denounced the attacks and said he sympathized with the victim 's family . `` When we called for hanging of gay people , we meant ... after they have gone through the legal process , '' said Giles Muhame . `` I did not call for them to be killed in cold blood like he was . '' The Rolling Stone tabloid is not affiliated with the iconic U.S. music magazine by the same name . 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 . The U.S. Mission in Kampala , Uganda , said , `` David 's courageous devotion to promoting the universal human rights of members of Uganda 's lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender community improved the lives of minority populations in Uganda and throughout Africa , and his selfless dedication to defending human rights and speaking out against injustice served as inspiration to human rights defenders around the world . '' CNN 's David McKenzie contributed to this report .
Obama : President Obama says the activist was advocate for peace and freedom . " Kato 's name was published on a list of the nation 's ` ` top terrorists '' last year . The resulting news story reignited anti - gay sentiments . It was unclear whether his killing was tied to the front - page story .