Jihadists bomb Christian Good Friday service in Uganda

 (Photo: Getty/iStock)

Muslim extremists exploded a fuel bomb during a church's Good Friday night service in western Uganda on April 7, sources said.

The explosion at NABI Pentecostal church in Biguli, Kamwenge District damaged part of the building, a parked car and several motorcycles, an area source said.

Church security apprehended one of six suspects, Bwambale Sadadi of Kilembe quarters, Kamiba Ward, Kasese Municipality in Kasese District, and turned him over to police, the source said.

"The police interrogated Bwambale, 28, who confessed that he carried out a jihad activity for jannah [paradise] in this holy month of Ramadan as a way of serving Allah and that he will reward him in paradise," said the source, whose identity is withheld for security reasons.

Area Christians were shocked.

"While members were praying, there was a loud explosion of fire that caught part of the front church with the petrol explosion while the faithful were conducting a night prayer meeting," the source said.

Church security and members intercepted the suspects' vehicle, a red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, he said.

"They were seriously pursued by the church security guard and other church members, but five other attackers managed to escape," the source said. "Bwambale was caught by security personnel who contacted the police, who responded immediately and arrested him."

Police were continuing to investigate as they sought the five other suspects.

The assault was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Uganda's constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one's faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Uganda's population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

© 2023 Morning Star News

News
Scottish campaigner arrested in Brussels for holding gender critical sign
Scottish campaigner arrested in Brussels for holding gender critical sign

A Scottish Christian woman was arrested in Brussels on Thursday for holding a sign that said "Children are never born in the wrong body". 

Martyn Snow steps down as LLF lead bishop
Martyn Snow steps down as LLF lead bishop

The Lead Bishop for the Church of England's Living in Love and Faith process (LLF) has announced he is stepping down.

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann dies aged 92
Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann dies aged 92

Walter Brueggemann, one of the most revered biblical scholars of the modern era and a prophetic voice in American theology, has died at the age of 92.

MPs line up to speak out against extreme abortion up to birth amendments
MPs line up to speak out against extreme abortion up to birth amendments

Antoniazzi’s amendment would mean that “for the purposes of the law related to abortion… no offence is committed by a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy”.