Uganda woman attacked by husband for going to church

Jardine Malado Wednesday, September 28, 2016

A woman who attended a church service in a village in Eastern Uganda's Budaka District was beaten unconscious by her husband on Sept. 18.

Fatuma Baluka, a daughter of an Islamic leader, said that her husband Hussein Kasolo called her an infidel before hitting her with a metallic object.

Gaddafi National Mosque in Kampala, Uganda | Wikimedia Commons/Laika ac

The neighbors who came to Baluka's rescue reported that she was bleeding from head and leg injuries.

"We found Baluka unconscious, and we were able to overpower the husband's brutal attack," a witness who wished to remain anonymous told Morning Star News.

Baluka was taken to the Budaka District Hospital and remained there until she was released on Thursday, Sept. 22.

"I have become an enemy to my husband, and my parents will not receive me either just for attending the church," Baluka said. "I feel disowned and helpless."

The pastor at the church said that Baluka prayed at the service and became a Christian.

"She was among those who were prayed for in the church service, and on Thursday she mentioned to me that the very Sunday when she was prayed for, she felt convicted in her heart that she was a sinful lady, and that immediately a heavy burden rolled away," the pastor said, adding, "She is now being discipled to be rooted in the Christian faith."

The pastor said that Baluka is in need of prayers for her recovery from physical and emotional distress.

Although religious freedom is guaranteed by the Ugandan constitution, Christians are still in danger from attacks committed by civilians. In June, a nine-year-old boy from Kamuli District suffered from burns inflicted by his Muslim father for converting to Christianity. Last May, a woman from the Mayuge District was strangled to death by her husband when she embraced Christianity.

About 85 percent of the Ugandan population is Christian and 12 percent are Muslims, the U.S. State Department estimates. The government allows the freedom to practice or promote any religion but religious groups are required to register. The Iganga District in the eastern region of the country has the highest concentration of Muslims.