Uganda: Converts killed by Muslim relatives

The following reports of attacks on Christians by their families and community occurred in August 2021:

• Morning Star News reported on 19 August 2021 that a 20-year-old convert to Christianity was killed by his Muslim father in Kibuku District for refusing to recant his faith. The father was not charged with murder because he acted for the sake of Islam.
• Morning Star News reported on 26 August 2021 that a former Islamic teacher who had become a Christian in 2015, was buried alive in Kabula village (near Iganga town). Muslim relatives had set a trap for him and hired killers. His wife, who was with him at the time of the attack, was informed that he should have heeded the many warnings he was given and returned to Islam.

Yonas Dembele, World Watch Research analyst comments: "The majority of the Ugandan population is Christian, and the constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one"s faith and convert from one faith to another. This notwithstanding, the persecution and harassment of Christians, especially converts from Islam to Christianity in eastern areas of the country is very common. The government remains silent about these incidents and there is no indication that they will intervene with any serious intention of protecting Christians facing such violence. It would be good if the government would put measures in place which address the violations of religious freedom of Christians and deal firmly with those responsible for causing harm to Christians; this would serve as a deterrent for others."