Jailed for Following Jesus 

Two Christian converts in western Uganda are finally free after spending nearly two years in prison following their decision to leave Islam and embrace Christianity. 

Sowed Kasheijea and Gad Katusabe, both from Karusandara in Kasese District, publicly accepted Jesus Christ in early 2024 after attending teachings at an Anglican church, where they became convinced of Jesus Christ’s divinity. Their conversion, however, sparked hostility from local Muslims. 

According to the two men, trouble began shortly after they openly declared their new faith. 

“When we saw Muslims coming towards the church with police, we knew danger had come,” Sowed Kasheijea said. “We never imagined our conversion would take us that far, yet Muslims claim to belong to a peaceful religion.” 

The two converts were reportedly arrested at the church premises and later accused of stealing mosque mats and a Quran. Christians in Karusandara insist that the accusations lacked credible evidence and believe the arrests were intended to punish the men for abandoning Islam. 

Despite the alleged lack of evidence, authorities sent the men to prison, where they remained for nearly two years awaiting justice. 

Ven. Alfred Mugisa, the Archdeacon of Kasese Archdeaconry, said Muslim leaders repeatedly pressured the converts to renounce Christianity in exchange for their freedom, but they refused. 

“They did not deny Jesus Christ to gain their freedom,” Mugisa said. “Instead, they asked us, as church leaders, to continue preaching to them while they were in prison and to encourage their wives and children with the Word of God. The longer they stayed in prison, the stronger their faith became.” 

Although prison life was difficult, both men said the experience deepened their faith. They explained that several Christian ministers visited them during their imprisonment, sharing the gospel and encouraging them spiritually. 

The converts described their imprisonment as painful, but said they eventually came to view it as part of God’s purpose for their lives. 

“Taking us to prison was like throwing a frog into water,” they said, explaining that they learned to endure and grow stronger through the hardship. 

In April 2026, after continued intervention by local church leaders and the Archdeacon of Karusandara, a legal hearing requested by the church reportedly exposed contradictions in the original accusations. As a result, the two men were released on bail. 

Although they remain uncertain about what lies ahead, both men said their faith in Jesus remains unshaken. 

“The church cannot fold its arms when it appears that evidence is either insufficient or fabricated,” said Rev. Nason Baluku, Bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese. “We reject all attempts to criminalize genuine conversion to Christianity.” 

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The post Jailed for Following Jesus  first appeared on International Christian Concern.