Muslim assailants broke Mukisa Siraji’s leg on May 28, 2024 near Iganga, Uganda. (Courtesy Photo)
Preaching the Word of God in certain parts of Uganda, especially those predominantly occupied by muslims has become extremely dangerous for gospel ministers.
Just recently, two evangelists were on their way to preach Christ in Iganga town, eastern Uganda when they were suddenly attacked by Muslim extremists. This unfortunate incident occurred on 28th May 2024 along the Iganga-Kaliro road, as confirmed by USA-based persecution watchdog, Morning Star News (MSN).
The victims identified as Mukisa Siraji, 30, and Tenywa Herbert, 34, told MSN the attackers tore their Bibles and tracts to pieces and destroyed them.
“We landed among some angry Muslims who were hunting for me,” Siraji told MSN. “Before completing our message, one sheikh called Jaberi, the imam of one of the mosques in Kaliro, who had a big beard, ordered other Muslims to beat us and get Jannah (Paradise). We were grabbed and flogged publicly until my leg was hit with a hammer, and it got broken totally.”
After beating them, the two evangelists were forced into a vehicle and driven to Buseyi village.
“They threw us around Buseyi village, where a good Samaritan found us and took us to Iganga Hospital,” Siraji told MSN. “He contacted our home people, and the pastors and other Christians came and took us to a specialist in Kumi, where we are getting treatment now.”
Recent reports by International Christian Concern (ICC) expressed concern about how preachers of the gospel, and several young people in Uganda who convert to Christianity have been severely beaten and injured by parents or community members.
In June, a murder case, file No. CRB 178/2024, was opened up at a police station in Butebo District, after an evangelist who had received death threats from Muslim extremists was killed after leading Muslims and others to Christ on 17th June, 2024.
The body of evangelist Richard Malinga was found at Kayete Swamp in Akisim A village, Butebo District after he had texted his pastor that he was surrounded by Muslims. He was 36.
As all this happens, officially, 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.
