Because he became a Christian, a Ugandan man was ambushed by his own Muslim brother and relatives. They cut off his hands as a punishment for apostasy on April 17, Morning Star News reported.
“That is what sharia [Islamic law] instructs us to do to those who deny the religion of Allah,” said the man’s father, Lubega Issa, as reported by an assistant pastor on scene.
Kalegeya Faruku, 40, was recovering from severe injuries after the attack in Jinja. He had accepted Christ in March and was attending church services.
The Uganda Constitution allows for freedom of religion and evangelism, but many adherents of Islam enforce Islamic scripture’s severe punishment for apostasy.
“I gave my life to Jesus in early March 2026, and my family members were not happy,” Faruku told a Morning Star News contact. “They became very angry and started sending me threatening messages about taking my life.”
Taking the threats seriously, Faruku returned home only to collect personal belongings and relocate to a safer place. He intended to travel to Busembatia Town Council in Bugweri District, where a friend who had shared the gospel with him resides. But as his homes, his brothers and other relatives were waiting for him.
“I found my brothers waiting for me, as if they had been informed,” Faruku said. “My elder brother approached me and pretended to ask about my whereabouts. Suddenly, he grabbed me, and others surrounded me.”
They cut off his hands while reciting Islamic scripture, he said. Morning Star News saw photos of the severed limbs but did not include originals in its report, probably because they are too disturbing.
Faruku was dumped a couple miles away, where he flagged down a passerby, who in turn got medical help.
“I thank God that a stranger found me and raised an alarm,” he added. “People came and rushed me to a nearby clinic for medical attention.”
An assistant pastor of an evangelical church in the district said Faruku had been attending worship services at his church. The names of the church and assistant pastor are withheld for security reasons.
The attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda. On April 9, Muslims posing as Christians offered a ride to an evangelist after a large Gospel event. They beat, stabbed and killed Alfred Kitenga along the Northern Bypass in Kawaala, Wakiso District, after he was returning from preaching in the Namungoona area of Kampala.
Uganda is 84% Christian, but the 14% Muslim minority is very aggressive.
Related content: Persecution in Nigeria, in Congo, in Ethiopia.
