Photo: Illustrative (Courtesy)
Muslims in Kabuna village, Budaka district in the eastern region of Uganda want a Christian school that offers free education to formerly Muslim children disowned by their family for putting their faith in Christ shut down.
The Islamic group demolished three of seven building belonging to Hope of Glory Primary School on 2 June, and threatened “tough action,” Persecution Watchdog Morning Star News reported on Friday
That aside, the Muslims are also said to have earlier written several letters to Kabuna educational officials, the Budaka District police commander and the Budaka Resident District Commissioner demanding closure of the school.
Among the 173 students from eight districts attending classes at Hope of Glory Primary School, sources say 57 are converts from Islam.
Another seven children are Muslims who became Christians after they began attending the school.
“If you do not stop night prayers, then we are going to take tough action against the school,” read one anonymous letter to school officials a week before the June 2 demolition, a school official, whose name the Watchdog withheld for security reasons, said.
“We suspect that the destruction is connected with the warnings that we had received previously,” the official added.
What happened on the fateful day of demolition?
A watchman guarding the school dormitory said he heard the destruction taking place at about 2 a.m.
“Since the school is closed to the road, I thought it was an accident that had taken place, only to find out in the morning that three classroom had been destroyed, with the bricks lying in ruins and the whole entire three classrooms flat on the ground,” said the watchman, name withheld for security reasons.
Second attack on school in 2 months
Two months ago area residents mobilized 35 Muslims from Kabuna, Kaperi, Macholi and Kotia villages to march to the school gate and throw stones at the buildings during classes, officials said.
Budaka police arrived immediately and restored calm.
The June 2 demolition caused damages of about $4,500, including materials, chairs and chalkboards, the school official said.
“We need financial help to rebuild the classrooms and for security for the school,” the school official said. “Otherwise we risk losing children who have showed genuine conversion to the Christian faith from Islam.”
