Youth minister dies after extremist attack at church

KAMPALA, Uganda — A youth minister died last month of injuries sustained in an attack on a church in Uganda by Muslim extremists. 

Emmanuel Mugabi, 32, succumbed to a blood clot from head injuries six days after the May 20 attack on Bukomero Miracle Center Church in Kiboga District, Morning Star News reported. Mugabi suffered other injuries, including a blow to the head from an ax.

A Muslim mob attacked the church after members held an evangelistic event and distributed Bibles in a Muslim area. The assailants also burned the church building.

Then Muslim extremists attacked the pastor and associate pastor as they returned from Mugabi’s funeral May 29, Morning Star News said.

Approximately 12% of Uganda’s population is Muslim. The constitution and laws allow for freedom of religion, including converting from one faith to another. However, Christian churches increasingly have received threats of violence, and some Christian converts have been attacked, killed or excommunicated by Muslim family members, World Atlas states.