Christian Persecution Nov/Dec 2022
Christian Killed After Open-Air Event In Uganda
A 28-year-old Christian in eastern Uganda has died from head injuries sustained in an attack by Muslim extremists in July, reported morningstarnews.org.
Robert Bwenje had accompanied Assistant Pastor Ambrose Mugisha of Elim Pentecostal Church to an open-air debate about Christianity and Islam, after which eight Muslims put their faith in Christ. “This angered the Muslims, but they could not attack us because we had tight security from the police,” said Pastor Mugisha.
When the two men left, Muslims from Sirimula village ambushed them as they crossed a swamp. “We saw men dressed in Islamic attire coming from the bush in different directions and shouting ‘Allah akbar, Allah akbar [Allah is greater],’” Pastor Mugisha said. The assailants forced them to hand over Bibles and other books they were carrying.
“They removed the Koran and then burned the rest of the books, including the Bibles, and then beat us with sticks,” he said. “I jumped into the water and managed to swim and cross to the other side.”
Passersby found him bleeding and rescued him. The assailants continued assaulting Bwenje and then fled, and the passersby took both wounded Christians to a nearby clinic for first aid and then later to a hospital, Pastor Mugisha said.
Pastor Godfrey Ssemujju of Elim Pentecostal Church said he visited Pastor Mugisha and Bwenje in the hospital soon after the attack, and Bwenje died later that night. Police arrested the assailant and charged him with attempted murder.
Ugandan Church Building Demolished
Muslim extremists from Kindeke village in Uganda attacked Pastor Baingana James on June 26, demolished his church building in Rwomuriro village, and threatened to kill him if he continued leading Muslims to Christ, the 48-year-old pastor said.
Pastor James said he received a phone call the morning of June 23 from a Muslim who identified himself as Sheikh Mwesigye Ja’afari of Kindeke, telling him to leave and return to Islam seven Muslims who had converted to Christianity. “We therefore want to warn you to leave the place within two days; if not, we are coming to destroy your home and church,” Ja’afari told him.
Pastor James did not take the threat seriously, but on June 26 he found a letter on his door ordering him to stop Sunday services and close the church. “I refused,” he said, “because preaching Jesus Christ is my calling, and planting churches is my vision in this area.”
While he and his congregation were worshiping the Lord in their Sunday service, a group of Muslim youths led by Ja’afari ambushed them from different directions with clubs and sticks. “They started beating us . . . and ordering us to stop the service and leave immediately,” Pastor James told morningstarnews.org. “As we were struggling to go out in serious panic and tension while others were with serious injuries, they started breaking and pulling down the building.”
In March, Muslims from Rwentuha village demolished the same church’s building under construction, and complaints to local leaders fell on deaf ears. “My prayer is that God help us and make a way to convert these people to Christ, and we need serious help for the victims who were cut during the attack,” Pastor James said.
To read these reports and many more in full, go to morningstarnews.org.
