Over the course of last week, six Christian churches were burned down in northwest Tanzania.
On September 23, the Living Waters International Church, Buyekera Pentecostal Assemblies of God, and Evangelical Assemblies of God Tanzania Church — three churches in total — were burned down.
Three days later, on September 26, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kitundu Roman Catholic Church, and Katoro Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church — again three churches in total — were torched.
According to a local source: “The people woke up on 27th Sep to find their sanctuaries burnt down… The scenarios are the same; unknown people broke in, piled things onto the altar, poured petrol over it and set it alight. They fled before anyone could respond and so remain unknown.”
Another Christian source indicated that
Since 2013 we have had over 13 churches torched here in Kagera and no one has been held accountable. This is not acceptable…. We are very upset and concerned as this is a trend that can no longer be ignored,” she said. “The police tell us they are investigating but we have heard no progress from investigations of previous church arson attacks.
Approximately 35% of the population of the African nation is Muslim, 35% is pagan, and 30% Christian.
