Evangelist Slain After Leading Muslims to Christ in Uganda

A Bold Witness in a Divided Region

David Washume, a 38-year-old evangelist from Manga cell, Mungoma Ward in Mbale District, had spent the final days of his life doing what he loved most—preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Together, with fellow evangelist Fred Wepuhulu, Washume had been on a three-day open-air evangelistic campaign in the towns of Nalondo, Buwalasi, and Nabumali. Known for their fearless approach to outreach, the two evangelists often incorporated verses from both the Quran and the Bible, drawing attention to the divinity of Christ while contrasting it with the humanity of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.

Their message drew attention and increasing crowds, particularly on the final day of preaching in Nabumali. According to an attendee who requested anonymity due to security concerns, Washume delivered a passionate message urging people to “put sin to death” and align themselves with Christ. The emotional service culminated in worship, with many raising their voices in song and several Muslims reportedly accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

However, not all reactions were positive. Some Muslims began shouting in protest during the event, creating tension that prompted the evangelists to leave the area and seek refuge in a nearby friend’s home.

Ambushed on the Road Home

Later that night, as Washume and Wepuhulu made their way back to their home in Nabumali, tragedy struck. According to Wepuhulu, at approximately 10 p.m., the two were ambushed by three masked men dressed in Islamic attire. Speaking Arabic, the attackers blocked their path and demanded their bags.

Wepuhulu described the chilling moment when the attackers discovered the contents of Washume’s bag—Bibles and a Quran.

“One shouted in our local language, ‘They are the ones, they are the ones…Kill, kill them!’” Wepuhulu said. “I realized that we were in the midst of militant Muslims.”

In the chaos that followed, Wepuhulu managed to break free after wrestling with one of the assailants. He ran for his life, ultimately reaching his home in fear and shock. Tragically, Washume—held down by two of the attackers—was unable to escape.

A Community in Mourning

The next morning, Moses Kutosi, chairperson of the local council of Nabumali Town Council, received a distressing phone call at 6 a.m. A dead body had been found near the chapel of a local Bible college. When he arrived at the scene, he recognized the body immediately—it was his friend, David Washume.

“Immediately I went to the scene of the incident and found the body of my resident friend Washume,” Kutosi said. “I was astonished and fearful and made a phone call to the police, who came after some hours.”

Washume's body bore multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest. A knife was found at the crime scene, along with a chilling handwritten note that read, “You, infidel, will meet Allah in judgment,” along with other Arabic text that could not be translated at the time. His body was transferred to the Mbale city mortuary for postmortem examination.

A close relative of Washume confirmed the details of the attack, expressing both grief and fear. The incident has left the family devastated and the local Christian community shaken.

Kutosi described Washume as a “good, hardworking and devoted Christian,” deeply committed to his faith and ministry. Though his church affiliation remains undisclosed for security reasons, those who knew him said he was a passionate and courageous witness for Christ.

Rising Persecution in a Constitutionally Free Nation

The murder of David Washume is just one of many documented cases of Christian persecution in Uganda, particularly in the eastern regions where Muslim populations are more concentrated. Although the Ugandan constitution guarantees freedom of religion—including the right to convert and to share one's faith—incidents like this reveal the increasing risks faced by those who exercise that right.

Despite Muslims comprising no more than 12 percent of the national population, radical elements have increasingly targeted Christian evangelists and converts from Islam. Washume’s public ministry, which included conversions of Muslims, likely made him a marked man in the eyes of extremists.

Local police, together with community members, have launched a manhunt to identify and apprehend those responsible for the murder. A police spokesperson confirmed the ongoing investigation but has not released further details.

Christian leaders across Uganda have called for stronger protection of religious workers and stricter enforcement of laws safeguarding religious freedom. “If Christians are not safe to preach in their own country,” said one local pastor, “then we are losing the very rights our constitution promises us.”

While the pain of this loss is still fresh, many in the community vow that Washume’s death will not be in vain. Plans are underway to hold a memorial service that will honor his life and ministry, and Christians in Nabumali have begun organizing prayer gatherings and vigils to commemorate his legacy.

Washume's story is a somber reminder of the cost that often accompanies faith in parts of the world where religious tensions run high. Yet it is also a testament to unwavering courage—a life poured out in the service of others and the gospel he believed in so deeply. As Uganda mourns one of its brave evangelists, the world watches, and the Christian community prays for peace, justice, and boldness in the face of persecution.