A woman in eastern Uganda who put her faith in Christ is in hiding after her husband beat her for leaving Islam, an International media organisation focusing exclusively on persecution of Christians has reported.
Sophia Nakisaala, 35, turned to Christ on Aug. 7 after her daughter was healed when a street evangelist in Bulopa village, Kamuli District, prayed for her.
An East Africa Correspondent for Morning Star News says; “Nakisaala was on her way to Kamuli General Hospital with her ill 5-year-old daughter when she stopped to listen to the evangelist from an area church (undisclosed for security reasons). She later met with the street preacher, who prayed for her daughter.”
“My child got healed instantly from high fever, which had caused several convulsions,” Nakisaala told Morning Star News. “The evangelist shared with me about Issa [Jesus], whom he said to be the healer and Savior. I then decided to accept Him as my Lord and Savior and then returned back home.”
Several reports of Christians in Uganda being killed and others ex-communicated by their loved ones are of late rampant and attracting church, media and human rights defenders world.
From the Constitution of Uganda, Article 29 provides for the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Nakisaala said when she told her husband, Muhammad Lubaale, about the healing of the child, he was initially inquisitive, but she stopped short of telling him about her new faith after he slapped her.
“As I mentioned to my husband that the preacher also prayed for me, his mood changed and he was not able to wait for me to finish the whole story,” she said. “He got angry and slapped me. I kept quiet and did not respond to his interrogation about my new faith in Jesus.”
Word of the healing of their girl and Nakisaala’s subsequent faith in Christ later reached Lubaale, the watchdog says.
“My husband arrived home on Aug. 10 and started beating me and injuring me with bruises on my head and right hand, using a stick,” she said. “Neighbors came to my rescue and housed me that very night.”
The following morning, while her husband was away, she gathered up her four children, ages 3, 5, 8 and 11, and went to an area pastor in Tirinyi Sub-County, Kibuku District. The pastor reported the attack to a local council administrator.
The church has sent her to a place of refuge while she recovers, the pastor told Morning Star News by phone.
“The local council administrator at Tirinyi has promised to offer us security and protection in case the Muslims turn against us,” he said. “We earnestly request prayers to that effect.”
editor@ugchristiannews.com
