Muslim extremists have reportedly killed a Ugandan couple who converted from Islam to Christianity.
Twaya Namwoyo, 38, and Nadimu Katooko, 27, were killed on February 2 outside their home in the village of Bulalaka in the East African country barely two months after their conversion, Morning Star News has reported.
They left behind four children aged 7, 5, 3 and 2.
A neighbour of the couple who requested not to be named for fear of being attacked, said he heard the killers on the night of the killing saying the victims were killed because of their conversion.
“I heard people talking and conversing loudly in Arabic and the Lugwere language, saying that Twala is to reap the fruits of leaving Islam. After a few minutes, I heard loud wailing coming out of Twaha’s house,” he said.
Speaking further, the neighbour said he was afraid that the assailants would attack his home.
“Thank God the attackers did not come to our house,” he said, noting that authorities found some weapons such as axes, swords and knives at the scene.
Twaha and Nadimu were said to have embraced Christianity on December 5, 2023 after they were visited by a friend for about six months.
The friend said, “I continued disciplining them in the Christian doctrines. But cautioned them to remain secret in their new-found Christian faith.”
Persecution of Christians in Uganda has been on the rise with some cases leading to the death of new converts.
For instance, a septuagenarian, Edrine Ngwabize, and her two grandchildren were murdered on Christmas day for their faith.
Edrine, 75, Mathias Byamukama, 13 and Emoni Niwalindwa, 5, were killed by Islamic extremists who broke into their home in Niyabitutsi.
Also in June 2023, about 37 students of Mpondwe Lhubirila Secondary School were killed by assailants who burnt and hacked them with machetes.
The students were reportedly singing Gospel songs before they were attacked by suspected Islamic State militants, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) based in neighbouring Congo.
Christians make up 84 per cent of Uganda’s population.