Paula Rwomushana was an 18-year-old student at St. Joseph's Secondary School in Nsambya, Uganda. She died after being publicly caned because of rumors that she might have been a lesbian. Here is her story*, as told in two articles from the Web site called Behind the Mask:
Uganda
Schoolgirl Commits Suicide
Report by Lule of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Uganda (GALA-Uganda)
December 12, 2003: Shock gripped St. Joseph's secondary school, Nsambya, on Monday when Paula Rwomushana, 18, a senior five student, was found dead in her bed in an apparent suicide following the accusations that she was a lesbian.
Paula lived in Nsambya Hospital quarters. Her father, John Rwomushana, works in the hospital, and her mother is a nurse. A week before her death, Paula was suspended from school because she was believed to be a lesbian. Her parents brought her back on December 3, 2003.
She was caned several times in front of a whole school after the administration told her parents that she has been found with love letters from her fellow girls.
A Redpepper reporter attempted to talk to the teacher, but he refused to comment on the issue or even reveal his name. He instead sent the reporter to the Deputy Head Mistress.
The Deputy Headmistress said she didn't know what the reporter was talking about. She called the guard who escorted the reporter to the gate.
The guard was given specific instructions not to allow any student to talk to the reporter.
On the evening of Friday, December 4, 2003, Paula complained of fever. The next day, she contacted the health prefect, who got her some chloroquine tablets. The next day on Sunday she did not return for further treatment.
On Monday morning December 8, the school was woken up by a loud yell that came from her dormitory. She slept with eight other girls who found her dead in her bed.
One student called the Headmistress. Her body was taken to Nsambya hospital.
Police arrived two hours later at the hospital mortuary and took the body to Mulago for a postmortem.
Paula committed suicide after being embarrassed and caned at school.
The above story was published today in the Redpepper newspaper of 12/12/03.
Paula is not the first person to commit suicide. Last month a girl in Masaka committed suicide — Hadija attempted to commit suicide after being rejected from home.
A school in Lubaga Division punished four girls after finding out about their love affair. They were made to dig up three ant-hills and also received 30 strokes at the assembly.
Another school, in Makindye, expelled six lesbians and two gays. The school's principal warned the other students never to reveal it to the outsiders in fear of the press. How much must occur and how much time must pass? For our lawmakers to realize these violations are taking place?
The current law regarding homosexual relationships is based on carnal knowledge (that is, if you're caught in the act), but Paula was accused based on rumors. No one is guilty until proven so by the court of law. You can't punish someone based on accusations and allegations.
Uganda
Schoolgirl Dies after Beating
Report by Lule of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Uganda (GALA-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 was 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. [or] Mrs. Rwomusana."
Mr Rwomusana wasn’t around, however, and the GALA-Uganda 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 [and] that she never committed suicide."
Paula died in her bed but never committed suicide.
GALA-Uganda has 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 [at] 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 lawsuit against the school," GALA-Uganda told Behind the Mask.
GALA-Uganda is considering a charge of manslaughter and has demanded that the Government intervene, according to 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 two radio stations in Uganda, also implies that Paula's death could be construed as a "State inspired purge on the LGBT community."
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Copyright © 2003 by Candace L. Van Auken. All rights reserved.
Page last modified on April 15, 2004.