Burning home where cell fellowship met in Luuka, Uganda on Nov. 20, 2022. (Morning Star News)
By Our Reporter & News Agencies
In Luuka Town Council West Ward, Luuka District, located in eastern Uganda, Muslim extremists are reported to have burned down a house where a cell fellowship of 23 Christians meet.
Speaking to media, Nicholas Mugume, the cell leader, described the tragic event as a revenge attack on the cell group since two prominent Muslim families put their faith in Christ as the result of an outreach by the fellowship members.
“The Muslims have been accusing us of making noise and also converting Muslims to Christianity,” Mugume told persecution watchdog Morning Star News (MSN).
Mr Mugume explained that the incident took place on 20th November, 2022. His wife was preparing food at 3 p.m. at their home where the cell group earlier had met for worship when four Muslims arrived, sent by a local mosque leader, he said.
“After a heated discussion, complaints and accusations of us converting Muslims, they poured petrol into the charcoal stove, and immediately fire spread and caught the entire house as the assailants left,” Mugume told MSN.
“This is just a warning to you that we are going to come back if you continue taking our people to your religion, and bad repercussions will happen to you,” Mr Mugume quoted one of the assailants as saying.
The father of three children ages 8, 11 and 16 said the entire house was reduced to ashes. Also destroyed was a public address system, a motorcycle, a bicycle and other items.
The family has found temporary shelter at a rented house in another town and needs help, he said.
The attacks were the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.
Uganda’s constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one’s faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Uganda’s population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.
News Agencies contributed to this report
