Widow's Family Narrowly Escapes Arson

A church in Uganda - Photo: Flickr / Rod Waddington
Christians in Uganda are facing growing opposition.
Photo: Flickr / Rod Waddington (cc)

In September 2015, Siriman Kintu was beheaded because he converted from Islam to Christianity. He left behind his wife Kanifa Namulondo, who had also converted, along with their five children.

Following her husband's death, Kanifa and her children fled their home in Kaliro, Uganda. However, she recently determined to return to the village and, with the help of friends, rebuilt the house. On April 25th, she moved back into the home with her children.

On May 2nd, Kanifa noticed that the regular Muslim call to prayer was at 3:30 a.m., which happened to be considerably earlier than usual. Thirty minutes later, she heard people talking outside the door of her house. One of the voices stated: "The husband betrayed our religion. We should do away with the entire family." Kanifa quickly woke the children, escaped out the back door and hid in a neighbour's house. Soon her newly rebuilt home was in flames. Cries from nearby residents caused the arsonists to flee the area.

As a result of the recent attack, the family is now living in temporary quarters outside of the village and will again be forced to relocate far from their home. For more information about the suffering inflicted on Christians by militants from the country's Islamic minority, go to our country report.

May God give Kanifa and her children strength and courage as they once again contend with upheaval in their lives because of the repeated attacks perpetrated by militants who vehemently oppose their Christian faith. May this victimized widow and her family also experience God's comfort, peace and provision in the midst of grief, property loss and uncertainty. Pray that those opposing the message of the Gospel in Uganda will listen to the voice of God's Holy Spirit as He tries to speak to their hearts, in hopes they will respond with repentance and surrender in faith to our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Country Information

    Central African RepublicPopulation
    47,729,952 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Baganda (16.5), Banyankole (9.6), Basoga (8.8), Bakiga (7.1), Iteso (7), Langi (6.3), Bagisu (4.9), Acholi (4.4), Lugbara (3.3), other (32.1) (2014 est.)

    Religion (%)
    Protestant (45.1), Roman Catholic (39.3), Muslim (13.7), other (1.6), none (0.2) (2014 est.)

    Leader
    President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (1986)

    Government type
    Presidential Republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Uganda

    As persecution increases, ask our Heavenly Father to fill believers' hearts with peace to rest in Him and boldness to continue to share the gospel. Pray that new believers will be discipled in solid biblical doctrice and practice. Ask the Lord to soften the hearts of those responsible for the opposition so that they will turn to Jesus Christ.

Uganda News

  • Two Arrests Relating to Case of Slain Pastor
    Faluku Gaju's arrest
    Faluku Gaju was arrested for his part in Pastor Barnabas' murder.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    Two men in eastern Uganda have been charged after the September 12th murder of an evangelist, Pastor Barnabas Musana. According to another pastor from a nearby village, some of the militant Muslims in the area were upset because Pastor Barnabas had been holding evangelistic events and public debates about Christianity and Islam. In February 2020, he had been whisked away by church members after boldly stating that Jesus was the Son of God, and thus greater than Muhammad.

  • Attacks Perpetrated by Family and Neighbours
    Abudlawali Kijwalo and Hajat Habiiba Namuwaya
    Abudlawali and Hajat
    Photo: Morning Star News

    Three recent incidents of violence against Christians in Uganda reveal the costs of following Christ. For believers in this African nation, opposition can come from many directions, even close family members, and may potentially result in serious injury or death.

  • Pastor Killed for Reaching Out to Muslims
    A church in Uganda

    Security officials have arrested an imam who confessed to killing a pastor on June 11th for sharing the Gospel with Muslims in Uganda. Bishop Francis Obo served as the senior pastor of Mpingire Pentecostal Revival Church Ministries International in the village of Odapako and was also responsible for overseeing the ministry of 17 churches in the area. He was killed after being approached by a group of Islamic militants as he was leaving a market with his wife, Christine.

  • Widow's Family Narrowly Escapes Arson
    A church in Uganda - Photo: Flickr / Rod Waddington
    Christians in Uganda are facing growing opposition.
    Photo: Flickr / Rod Waddington (cc)

    In September 2015, Siriman Kintu was beheaded because he converted from Islam to Christianity. He left behind his wife Kanifa Namulondo, who had also converted, along with their five children.

    Following her husband's death, Kanifa and her children fled their home in Kaliro, Uganda. However, she recently determined to return to the village and, with the help of friends, rebuilt the house. On April 25th, she moved back into the home with her children.