From The Christian Post:
A tragic case of religious persecution has emerged from eastern Uganda, where Wanjala Hamidu, a 32-year-old former Muslim teacher, was killed by his brothers for converting to Christianity. Hamidu embraced the Christian faith on October 4, 2024, during an evangelistic event in Bulange. His conversion quickly became known in his hometown of Masita village and at the Swidiki Islamic School, where he worked.
On October 21, Hamidu’s brothers, led by Hiire Isifu and Hawumba Jamada, arrived at his school under the pretense of taking him home. Once there, they demanded that he renounce his Christian faith. When he refused, they began a brutal attack, citing Islamic prescriptions for apostasy. Neighbors heard Hamidu’s cries and arrived at the scene, but fear of retaliation under vigilante enforcement of Sharia law kept them from intervening.
Witnesses reported that Hamidu sustained severe injuries to his head and chest before succumbing to the violence. Police were called to the scene, but the attackers fled and remain at large. Hamidu’s body was taken for an autopsy before being returned to his family for burial.
This incident marks the second killing of a Christian convert in Uganda in October, following the murder of evangelist Emmanuel Dikusooka, who was attacked after leading Muslims to Christ. Uganda, a country with constitutional protections for religious freedom, continues to witness significant persecution against Christians, particularly in areas with higher Muslim populations.
The brutal killing of Hamidu highlights the ongoing dangers faced by Christians in regions where apostasy is considered a capital offense under Sharia law. Advocacy groups and local churches are calling for stronger protections for converts and the enforcement of Uganda’s laws on religious freedom. This tragedy underscores the need for awareness and support for persecuted Christians worldwide.
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