WESTERN UGANDA - A young woman identified as Sauda is living in hiding after her father, a prominent local Muslim leader, allegedly dispatched associates to kill her for leaving Islam and converting to Christianity, International Christian Concern reported.
Sauda told an ICC staffer that her father had subjected her to years of abuse before her conversion. “My father was merciless,” she said. “He could force us to go to the mosque while at the same time abusing me, sometimes claiming that it was his right to do whatever he wanted to me.”
Two months ago, after hearing the gospel and deciding to follow Jesus, Sauda’s family rejected her and threatened to kill her. She fled her home to save her life. After failing to kill her directly, Sauda’s father allegedly began sending friends to hunt her down. She said she believes many in her community would consider killing her a way of earning blessings from Allah.
“I never knew this journey would be this painful,” Sauda said. “The attacks have been so intense that I fear for my life simply because I accepted Jesus Christ! My father is hunting for me the same way a leopard hunts an antelope.”
ICC described such cases as “somewhat common” in parts of Uganda, where converts from Islam face ostracism, violence, and death threats from family and community members. The persecution of Christian converts in East Africa remains a persistent concern flagged by religious-freedom monitors, though Uganda’s constitution formally guarantees freedom of religion.
Sauda said she knows the danger has not passed. “I know he will kill me if he finds me, but thankfully, I have repented of my sins,” she said. A Christian friend has provided spiritual encouragement and emotional support as she navigates life in hiding.
Despite years of abuse and the ongoing threat to her life, Sauda said her faith has brought restoration. “Jesus did not erase my memories overnight, but he has been healing my heart day by day,” she said. “He replaced my shame with hope.”