Two Ugandan care workers, Sumayah Nakazibwe and Stella Ariokot, were trapped in their home for four hours during Belfast riots. Pastor Jack McKee rescued them after pleading with rioters.
In the early hours of Tuesday night, the streets of Belfast transformed into a battleground. Amid the chaos, two Ugandan care workers, Sumayah Nakazibwe and Stella Ariokot, found themselves trapped in their home near Crumlin Road, north Belfast. Their harrowing experience sheds light on the escalating violence that gripped the city.
The violence began with what seemed like a peaceful march, but it quickly spiraled out of control. Young boys, some as young as nine, donned masks and set fire to tyres and wheelie bins. The situation escalated when the mob turned their attention to the residential street where Nakazibwe and Ariokot lived, alongside Romanian and Nigerian families.
The Terrifying Night
Nakazibwe recounted the chilling moments as the rioters began petrol-bombing cars and throwing stones at their windows. The smoke from the fires engulfed their home, forcing them to call the police and fire brigade. However, with fires raging across the city, emergency services took about 30 minutes to arrive.
As the flames drew closer, the women were advised to put on their care worker uniforms in the hope that it might deter any rioters who broke in. Nakazibwe’s fear reached a peak when she collapsed from the terror. Ariokot stayed on the line with emergency services, following their instructions until Nakazibwe regained consciousness.
The Rescue
The turning point came when Pastor Jack McKee from New Life City Church arrived at the scene. He described the horrifying sight of four fire engines, police in riot gear, and a mob of masked men armed with bricks. McKee bravely approached the rioters, pleading for 10 minutes to evacuate the women.
“They gave me those 10 minutes,” McKee said. “Some of them actually dropped their bricks on to the ground and they gave me the 10 minutes and let me get them in the car.” The women, traumatized by the ordeal, stayed with McKee and his family last night.
The Aftermath
Today, Nakazibwe expressed her shock at the sudden turn of events. “I wouldn’t go out, for safety, it’s not safe,” she said. The once peaceful neighborhood had become a war zone overnight. The violence extended beyond north Belfast, with incidents reported on the Shankill Road and Newtownards Road, where families were forced to flee their homes.
In central Belfast, the remains of a torched grocery store and damaged flats stood as stark reminders of the night’s violence. Neighbors recounted how a Romanian family was forced out of their home after it was targeted twice in recent months. The house next door, occupied by a black family, also suffered damage as the fire spread.
The riots followed a knife attack that left Stephen Ogilvie hospitalized with severe injuries. The family of the victim appealed for calm, stating that the overnight unrest was not welcome. They emphasized the valuable contributions of migrants to the community and urged peaceful protest.
As Belfast begins to clean up the debris, the city grapples with the aftermath of the violence. The incident has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the need for unity and understanding in the face of adversity.
