Two sisters in western Uganda have described how they escaped from their burning home after their father allegedly set the building on fire following their conversion to Christianity.
Amina and Shamila were inside their home in Kibenge, Kasese District, at around midnight on 6 September when the house caught fire.
According to the report, their father, Muhamud, had poured petrol over the house before setting it alight while the girls were sleeping. He had reportedly told them he would act in accordance with Islamic law after they rejected Islam and converted to Christianity on 26 August.
The sisters woke to the smell of paraffin and found flames surrounding them.
"We saw flames of fire consuming our house quietly," Amina said. "We now started looking for Plan B to escape death."
Shamila said they realised they were in immediate danger and began searching for a way out.
"We saw the flames coming out of the house, and we knew that our lives were in danger," she said. "We removed the bricks and escaped through the hole. Thank God that he gave us a way to get out alive."
The sisters managed to escape before the fire destroyed almost everything they owned. Their mattresses, clothing and other personal belongings were burned.
Despite losing their possessions, Amina said the experience had strengthened their Christian faith.
"We are happy to say that the fire consumed our shelter but did not consume our faith and hope in Jesus Christ," she said.
Amina said the sisters removed bricks from a wall to create an opening through which they escaped. Other Christian neighbours then arrived, rescued them and contacted local leaders.
Local Christian leaders condemned the reported arson and said it was contrary to Ugandan law. They called for the sisters' father to be held accountable.
A local chief, who asked not to be named, thanked God for protecting the two girls and praised Christians in the area for coming to their aid.
"I also thank the Christians of my area for having that solidarity to rescue these innocent people," the chief said. "We are against these murderous acts under the cover of having a religious fight; it’s notorious and uncalled for."
The case has highlighted the difficulties some Christian converts can face when leaving Islam, particularly within families and communities where religious differences can lead to conflict.
Based on reporting by International Christian Concern.
