Ali Nakabale, a former Muslim who became Christian, filed a police case (No. SD: 32/21/08/2019) against radical Muslims in Nakaseke district, central Uganda who he says set his house on fire leading to the death of his mother, two children and stepfather.
According to Ali, the attack was carried out on Aug. 20 by his wife and other local Muslims who were upset that he and his mother, Nankya Hamidah (56) had converted to Christianity at an open-air evangelistic event.
This report has drawn the attention of several global Christian organisations including International Christian Concern, whose work encompasses the human rights of Christians and religious minorities across the globe.
Ali revealed in an interview published 2nd October, 2019 by Christian persecution watchdog Morning Star News that the mosque leader of Kyanja area of Nakaseke had written a letter to his stepfather (also a former Muslim), stating, “It has come to our attention that since you got married to Hamidah, you have not been attending the mosque.”
“At this, then I realized that the Muslims were monitoring our movements,” Nakabale told Morning Star News.
News of his family’s death came unexpectedly. His children were Afsa Lawada (9) and Yakubu Njabuga (6).
“I had just visited my aunt only to receive sad news of the burning of our house.” “Upon arriving home, I found the house destroyed by fire that burned my four family members, including my two children. On reaching the mortuary, I found their bodies burned beyond recognition.”
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a neighbor told Morning Star News that he and others became aware of the fire at 1 a.m. on Aug. 20.
“We saw fire emanating from the house of Hamidah with loud chants from Muslims saying, ‘Allah Akbar [God is greater],’” said the neighbor, according to Morning Star News. “Arriving at the scene of the incident, we found that the house had been razed down, killing the four family members.”
Relatives first discovered the Christian faith of Nakabale and his family members in May, after he brought his young son to attend an evening worship service. The following day his son, Njabuga, told of his experience at the service to his mother, 32-year-old Sandra Nakamada. She became furious and began beating her son, Nakabale said.
“When my wife began beating my son, condemning his action of going to church, then I knew our visit to the evening prayers had leaked,” Nakabale said. “The same day my wife walked out of the marriage and left the home. We got scared because we knew that our lives were in danger. For three months, no Muslims visited our home.”
During that time, Nakabale’s mother Hamidah was caring for the two children, he said.
“Nakabale is depressed and is questioning God on the brutal deaths of his two little children,” sources told Morning Star News. “He needs counseling and prayers at this difficult moment.”
