On November 4, an Islamist leader incited Muslims to attack Christians near a mosque in Yumbe, northern Uganda, over a pork sale, killing five Christians and injuring 44 others, sources said.
Violence erupted after reports circulated that Christian traders were openly selling pork near Munir Mosque, an act that many Muslims described as provocative and disrespectful to their religion, which prohibits the consumption of pork.
Police sources said the riots began after a video went viral on social media in which Sheikh Qasim Abdallah of Munir Mosque called on Muslims across the West Nile Valley, as well as in Sudan and Somalia, to support what he called “Operation Al-Badiri,” likening it to an ancient Islamic battle.
In the video, Muslims mobilized from mosques across Yumbe district to protest against the sale of pork in the central business district of Yumbe town on the night of November 3, calling for Islamic unity to “cleanse Yumbe of unclean practices.”
Local officials said the demonstrations began peacefully on November 4, but quickly turned violent as demonstrators began attacking Christian-owned stores and homes. “Yumbe was dedicated to Allah from the beginning. We cannot allow pork shops to operate here. All Muslim youth must stand up and defend the honor of our faith. We must not allow Christian businesses that promote sin to remain in our country,” Abdallah told his followers during the protest, according to an investigation by Moses Nbuga, Uganda’s contact for northern Uganda.
Nbuga said at least five Christians were killed during the protests. Jackson Rameliga, 34, of New Revival Church Yumbe, died while receiving hospital treatment in Yumbe after sustaining injuries to his intestines and ribs from a Somali sword stab wound. Nbuga spoke to him at the hospital before he died.
Collins Chadir, a member of a Ugandan church in Nebbi district, suffered deep injuries to his face and head and a fractured left hand when he was hit by a stone. Relatives said he lost a lot of blood and died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Another person confirmed dead was Rechelle Ayandile of Koboko Baptist Church, who was buried on Friday (November 7). Philemon Okou of Deliverance Church was hit in the forehead by a stone and died on the spot, according to the church’s senior pastor Peter Joseph Idembe. and Evangelist Ben Gracious Paddy of Koboko Baptist Church.
Nbuga said that during the attack, he witnessed Padi being stoned to death by Muslim protesters as he preached Christ on the streets of Yumbe town. The evangelist was buried at Koboko Baptist Church on Friday (November 7). Koboko is 52 km (32 miles) from Yumbe.
There are also reports that three other Christians were killed during the protests, but these have not been confirmed.
According to the 2024 census report, Yumbe District has a population of 934,340 people, with Muslims accounting for 76 percent and Christians accounting for approximately 24 percent.
“We are very scared because there are many Muslims in this area,” a Christian identified only as Bernard told Morning Star News.
Residents said security forces intervened after the situation deteriorated and fired tear gas to disperse the rioters, but local media reported police fired live rounds into the air. Several church buildings, including St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lodonga Pentecostal Church, and Yumbe Revival Center, were destroyed, and several Christian-owned stores were looted or set on fire, according to Pastor Akidribo Robert of the Anglican Church of Uganda.
“I call on the Ugandan government to protect the Christian community in Yumbe and pledge that believers will not be intimidated,” Pastor Akidribo said. “We will not abandon our homes or our churches. We pray for peace, but we also ask for justice for those killed and injured among our Christian brothers and sisters.”
Police arrested more than 30 people, including Abdallah, who is reportedly being held on charges of inciting religious violence and promoting hatred. Security forces remained heavily deployed throughout Yumbe town to prevent further violence as the investigation continued.
Community members argued that anyone has the right to start a business in town. According to social media reports, up to 50 homes were damaged or destroyed in the violence.
The attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda documented by Morning Star News.
Uganda’s constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one’s faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up only 12% of Uganda’s population and are concentrated in the eastern region of the country.
