Ugandan Teen Killed by Brother After Converting to Christianity
In a deeply troubling incident highlighting ongoing religious tensions in Uganda, a Muslim student has been arrested for allegedly killing his own brother just a day after the latter converted to Christianity.
Nineteen-year-old Shafiki Wasike was fatally stabbed on September 1 near Mbale High School, where both he and his younger brother, Akram Kairoki, were enrolled. The attack came only a day after Wasike publicly embraced the Christian faith during an open-air evangelistic event in Mbale City, eastern Uganda.
According to Pastor David Wabomba of Bible Evangelism Ministries, Wasike had given his life to Christ following a Christian-Muslim public debate held on August 31. The event featured a theological discussion between Pastor Wabomba and a Muslim cleric, identified as Sheik Abudallah.
“After the debate, I spent time speaking with Wasike about the Christian faith and encouraged him to attend church,” Pastor Wabomba said. “He seemed genuinely joyful and hopeful.”
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However, trouble began shortly after. That same evening, Wasike informed the pastor over the phone that his brother had discovered his conversion and had begun sending threatening messages, accusing him of dishonoring the family and the Muslim community.
On the morning of September 1, while the two brothers were walking to school, Kairoki allegedly pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed Wasike twice. once in the chest and once near his ribs. According to classmate Jonathan Kabaale, the wounded teen cried out, “Why should my brother stab me? I only changed my faith.”
Three fellow students Kabaale, Ronald Mukhwana, and John Michael Musamali responded to the cries for help and quickly arranged for motorcycle transport to take Wasike to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, Wasike died shortly after arrival.
Following the incident, Kairoki went into hiding, prompting a police search that spanned several regions. Authorities eventually located and arrested him in Busolwe Town Council, Butaleja District.
Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika confirmed the arrest and stated that the suspect is in custody at Mbale City Police Station. “Anyone above the age of 15 can be charged in court under Ugandan law,” he said, adding that the suspect will be brought before the court soon.
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Wasike was laid to rest on September 8 at the family’s ancestral home in Kabwagasi Town Council. Pastor Wabomba, who conducted the funeral, noted that neither family nor clan members participated in the burial, claiming that Wasike had forsaken the family’s religion.
“No one wanted to even touch the body,” the pastor said. “They considered him an infidel because of his conversion.”
This case adds to the growing number of religious persecution incidents in Uganda, particularly against individuals converting from Islam to Christianity. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, including the right to change one’s faith, many converts face harsh backlash from their families and communities.
Muslims represent about 12 percent of Uganda’s population, with higher concentrations in the eastern part of the country. Religious freedom exists in law, but cases like Wasike’s reveal the gap between legislation and reality for many new believers.
Human rights advocates and religious leaders continue to urge the government to protect individuals’ rights to religious freedom and to take stronger action against religiously motivated violence.
Content Credit: Ohidah Oluwaferanmi
Image Credit: Christian post.com
