On September 6th, a tragic incident unfolded in eastern Uganda, where Muslim extremists targeted a 33-year-old evangelist named Philip Bere for his role in leading Muslims to embrace the Christian faith.
The event took place in Kituuti town and ended in a brutal attack that cost Bere his life.
Following the evangelistic gathering in Kituuti town, as Bere was on his way back to Katiryo in Kibuku District, a shocking act of violence occurred. Witnesses recounted the horrifying moment when assailants forcibly pulled him from his bicycle and used a large rock to inflict fatal injuries.
Mudenya Sirasi, who had collaborated with Bere during the evangelistic event, was present during this tragic turn of events. The two were making their way towards Katiryo along the Kataka-Katiryo road when the attack unfolded, at approximately 7:40 p.m. Sirasi revealed that a significant number of individuals, including Muslim women and two young Muslim men, had converted to Christianity during the event.
The ambush happened suddenly, with Sirasi recalling, “We heard people talking from both sides of the road at a nearby bush saying, ‘They are the ones who converted our members today – they are not supposed to live, but to be killed.'” According to Sirasi, one of the assailants grabbed their bicycle and used a blunt object to strike Bere on the back. This brutal assault caused Bere to fall, and in an attempt to escape, Sirasi leaped off the bike and took refuge in a tunnel under a nearby bridge.
Sirasi, still in shock from what he had witnessed, described the gruesome scene, saying, “I could see the attackers brutally injuring my friend. One of the attackers hit him with a big stone, and he bled to death.”
After the assailants departed, Sirasi discovered Bere’s lifeless body in a pool of blood. He immediately informed fellow Christians in the area and alerted the local police. Law enforcement officers promptly arranged for Bere’s body to undergo a postmortem examination.
The pastor of Bere’s church, whose identity is kept confidential for security reasons, reported that the police station in Katiryo, Kibuku, had taken statements regarding the evangelist’s killing and that efforts were underway to track down the perpetrators, who had gone into hiding.
The pastor emphasized, “Our evangelist was killed because of his unwavering commitment to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, particularly to Muslims.”
Philip Bere was widely recognized for his tireless efforts in reaching out to Muslims in various parts of eastern Uganda, including Buseeta, Lwatama, and Katiryo.
This tragic attack represents yet another distressing incident of persecution against Christians in Uganda, a pattern that has been documented by Morning Star News.