Charles Kamya was beaten unconscious in Kampala, Uganda on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. (COURTECY PHOTO)
An evangelist known for reaching out to Muslims with the gospel through theological debates (better referred to as apologetic discussions) has been beaten unconscious in Kampala, Uganda’s capital.
Charles Kamya, 43, was stopped and beaten by two suspected Islamic extremists on Saturday (Jan. 29) while on his way to participate in an open-air debate about Christianity and Islam in Bwaise area, Kampala.
“It was well publicized, with my photo displayed as the main debater of the day in Christian-Muslim dialogue,” Kamya recalled.
Narrating his ordeal from a hospital bed, Mr Kamya explained during an interview with USA-based persecution watchdog Morning Star News that one of the assailants told him, “you have been terrorizing our religion.”
The assailants continued: “Today Allah has called you, and you are going to meet him.”
Uganda is a majority-Christian nation with many active churches. However, reports show that radical Islam’s influence has grown steadily in certain areas, and a cross section of Christ followers are facing persecution, especially those who convert from Islam.
“I stopped my car only to be ambushed by six other Muslims in Islamic attire who resurfaced from the bush at around midday,” Kamya told media. Adding: “Some beat me badly while others cut me with some objects, and I lost a lot of blood as they pulled me out of my car and threw me out.”
A report by Morning Star News reveals that a blow to the head with an iron bar left Mr Kamya unconscious for about two hours.
The evangelist was rescued by passerby who found him in a pool of blood and called police.
“They arrived immediately and saved my life,” Kamya recalled. “The attackers did not damage my car or take anything inside the car. They only wanted to destroy my life.”
Days before the attack, reputable sources say Mr Kamya had on 24th January, 2022 held a theological debate with Muslims in Jinja after going to one of the mosques in the area to buy a Koran on 21st January, 2022.
Accompanied by a Muslim convert to Christianity, Mr Kamya used the Koran during the debate to show Muslims that God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Kamya said: “I also discussed Surah 72 about the powers of evil jinn, and that they can be defeated by Issa [Jesus], and many Muslims converted to Christ. One sheikh wanted to grab the Koran from me, but I refused and left immediately.”
