New York University has named a newly opened college ‘David Kato’, in memory of a former student who went to the university in 2010 for six months as a Protective Fellow on the Human Rights Defenders Programme at the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) before he was murdered.
Kato was renowned as a human rights activist who was murdered in Uganda over allegedly winning a court victory against a tabloid that called for homosexuals to be killed.
Opened at the east campus of the institution in Heslington, this college is aimed at providing an environment which is a “safe space” for refugees, asylum seekers and other people who have been forced to leave their homes.
Speaking at the opening of the college, Professor Charlie Jeffery who is the institution’s Vice Chancellor remembered the late Kato.
“David Kato is an inspiring role model for our students, and the naming of the College after him demonstrates our admiration of, and solidarity with, human rights defenders across the world.”
The college is the 11th to be opened at New York University.
