A nine-year-old Ugandan boy was tied to a tree and burned by his father after he converted from Islam to Christianity, according to Morning Star News.

Nassif Malagara decided to become a Christian after visiting a church with a neighbour in Kakira Parish, in the district of Kamuli, on June 5. He received prayer at the end of the service and subsequently refused to participate in Muslim activities, which reportedly angered his father and step-mother.

"At the end of the service, Nassif remained behind and then followed me to the church's pastry room and requested that he wanted to receive Jesus as his personal savior," the pastor of the church told Morning Star News.

"I was a bit hesitant, but after his continuous press, I then prayed with him, and he left."

After his parents learned of his conversion they denied Nassif food. He was given some by his neighbours, but was then caught by his father.

"He started beating me up with sticks, but I managed to escape to a nearby bush," he said.

"My father then followed me and got hold of me back to the homestead, where he tied me up to a banana tree.

"He went into the house and came back with a hot piece of wood. The banana tree had dry leaves, which caught fire and caused serious burns to my body."

Neighbours heard the boy's screams, rescued him and took him to Kamuli hospital.

"Nassif has been recovering, but at a very slow pace," said Walwawo Zubari, who works at the hospital. "He might need to be referred to another hospital for specialised treatment."

Nassif's father has been arrested and is currently released on bail.