Christian Teacher Who Sheltered Converts Killed in Western Uganda, Ministry Reports

KASESE, Uganda —

A Christian schoolteacher who had sheltered Muslim converts to Christianity in his home was killed near midnight on Sept. 29 in Kasese District in western Uganda, Morning Star News reported Oct. 19.

Benjamin Kule Mayani, 45, taught at Excellent Nursery and Primary School and lived in Kasokero village in Kyondo Sub-County. He and a colleague, Pascal Muhindo, were attacked in Karambi Cell in Kisinga Town Council, according to the report.

A church elder, who was not named, told Morning Star News that a man had phoned asking to meet Mayani at the school. About two kilometers from the school, that man and two others stopped the pair and questioned Mayani about the man's sister, who had become a Christian. One of them hit Mayani on the head with a large stick, the elder said. Muhindo ran for help, and when he came back with neighbors, Mayani was dead.

The elder said Mayani had taken in the woman and other converts from Islam, and later moved her to another home for her safety.

Police at the Kisinga station registered a murder case. Elly Maate, an assistant superintendent of police for Rwenzori East, said three men attacked Mayani and Muhindo as they returned from Kisinga Town. Police said Mayani was struck on the forehead with a blunt object and died a few meters from the scene. His body was taken to Bwera Hospital for a postmortem, and police said they are still working to identify the attackers.

The police account did not mention a motive. It also said the two men were coming from Kisinga Town, while Morning Star News reported they had been at an evangelistic outreach. Watchman News has not independently confirmed the details.

Uganda's constitution protects the right to share one's faith and to change religions. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of the country's population, according to Morning Star News.