Kampala , Uganda ( CNN ) -- Ugandan police announced Thursday the arrest of a 22-year-old man who they say confessed to killing gay rights activist David Kato . In a news conference at which suspect Enock Nsubuga was presented to the media , authorities said he admitted using a hammer to bludgeon Kato to death . Nsubuga was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon , though police said they 'd been tracking him for several days . The head of Uganda 's national police , Kale Kayihura , said Thursday in the capital , Kampala , that Nsubuga was an ex-convict who had been working in Kato 's garden at the time of the activist 's death . After being detained , Nsubuga admitted to killing Kato and explained why he did so , according to Kayihura . According to the suspect , Kato , 46 , promised to pay Nsubuga money for having sex with him . But Kato never followed through . An angered Nsubuga told police that he then took a hammer from the bathroom and fatally beat Kato . Kayihura said he believes the attack was not a hate crime , as has been widely reported , but rather stemmed primarily from Nsubuga 's desire to get money from Kato . The police chief denounced elements within the public , as well as the media , for reports that he claimed had fueled aggression against Uganda 's homosexual community . He specifically mentioned a report from Rolling Stone -- a Ugandan tabloid that is not affiliated with the iconic U.S. music magazine by the same name -- that published a list late last year of the African nation 's `` top 100 homosexuals '' with their photos , addresses and a banner with the words `` Hang Them . '' Kato 's name and picture were on the list . According to Kato 's lawyer , the activist had feared for his safety prior to his death , even alerting police about his concerns . Late last week , human rights activist Naomi Ruzindana said she did not believe the killing was 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 . Nsubuga had a long criminal history , including being jailed recently for stealing a cell phone , police said . According to neighbors , Nsubuga was last seen leaving the activist 's house on Tuesday of last week . Kato was found dead the following day . Chaos ensued at his funeral last Friday , after a pastor rebuked homosexuals at the service in Mukono , a small hillside village outside the capital . Mourners took away the man 's microphone and police whisked him away from the angry crowds . A sympathetic Anglican bishop stepped in to finish the ceremony . 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 . Even with Nsubuga 's arrest and alleged confession , as well as the earlier detainment of Kato 's driver , the police chief said Thursday that the murder investigation is continuing .
Murder suspect Enock Nsubuga was arrested Wednesday . Ugandan police say he confessed to killing activist David Kato in a botched robbery . Police chief claims killing is n't hate crime , blasts reports for fueling aggression against gays . Kato said he felt threatened , especially after a 2010 article with the banner `` Hang Them ''