The massacre of the Uganda Martyrs.

Uganda Martyrs

The Uganda martyrs, killed during the first decade of Christian presence in Uganda, play a huge role in Ugandan Catholic and Anglican life.

This was a group of 23 Anglicans and 22 converts to Christianity. The Uganda Martyrs Group became part of the historical kingdom of Buganda and now part of Uganda.

The Uganda Martyrs were executed between 31^st January 1885 and 27^th January 1887. Under the orders of Mwanga ll, the Kabaka (king) of Buganda by then.

It was a group of 45 men that were forced to abandon and stop believing in their faith (Christianity). They refused and under the orders of Kabaka Mwanga were brutally killed.

It’s said that various people of Buganda had started to convert to Christianity which Kabaka Mwanga didn’t want.

Up to date, the lives of these young men are celebrated by the world on the 3^rd of June every year. Very many people from different areas pay pilgrimage to Namugongo Martyrs shrine which was put in commemoration of the Uganda Martyrs.

According to history, the Arabs that entered in Uganda in the 1830’s, the Anglican missionaries arrived in Buganda in 1877. Later the Catholics Missionaries also arrived in the era of king Mutessa 1. They settled in Buganda and converted a lot of people to their religion.

After the death of king Muteesa in 1884. He was succeeded by his son Kabaka Mwanga ll.

The new faith of Christianity started contradicting with the beliefs of the traditional faith in the kingdom. This forced them to abandon the traditional religions, practices and the way of living and take on the Christian way of life.

When Mwanga was still a young prince, he loved Christians. The arrival of the missionaries just before they took over his father’s throne. After taking of the seat as the king of Buganda, he realized that the foreigners were interfering into the traditional of the kingdom and the thought that this would bring his powers down as the king of Buganda

By 1884, Kabaka Mwanga had succeeded his father. He passed an order for the killing of Makko Kakumba, Nuwa Serwanga and Yusuf Rugarama. That were killed at Busega Nateete. The three were killed on the 31^st January 1885 making them the first Uganda martyrs. The second killing occurred in Busoga. Where by the newly appointed head of Eastern Equatorial Africa Bishop James Hannington was returning to Buganda using the eastern direction. 

Historically, one wise man of Buganda once said that the enemy of the king would come from the Eastern direction. This was the same direction Bishop James Hannington came from and there then he was looked at as an enemy and was killed in October 1885.

Joseph Balikuddembe another martyr was beheaded at Nakivubo on the 15^thNovember 1885. He was the first catholic convert to be killed. It’s said that he was a senior advisor to King Mwanga. He strongly condemned the king’s orders for the killing of Anglican Bishop James Hannington minus a chance to listen to his reasons as to why he had used this direction. This annoyed the king and he ordered for his arrest and killing.

Many people had converted to Christianity, the king asked them to denounce this new faith they had followed and they refused. A lot of these young men refused to obey the King’s orders. They knew they disobeyed the kings orders they had to be killed.

They walked from Munyonyo to Namugongo. Collecting firewood that would be used to kill or burn them. A group of 26 young boys and men were put in the same locality with firewood and fire was lit to burn them.

Therefore, it is believed that the last Martyr was beheaded, on 27^thJanuary at Mengo in 1887. He was called jean-Marie muzeeyi and was a catholic convert.

Many more converts were found and beheaded or burnt and some were jailed but not reported missing. History states that King Mwanga ll killed more than 45 martyrs in Uganda. The 45 Ugandan martyrs are remembered by many Christians in the world,today.

Pope Benedict XV affirmed the 22 catholic Martyrs as blessed and this was very important step in the catholic church.

List of Uganda Martyrs.

• Kakumba Makko
• Sserwanga Nuwa,
• Balikuddembe Mukasa
• Mukasa Musa
• Kaggwa Anderea
• Yusuf Rugarama
• Ngondwe Posiano
• ssebugwawo Denis
• Bazzekukeeta Antanansio
• Gonza Gonzaga
• Mbwa Eriya
• Mudduagauma Mulumba Matiya
• Muwanga Daudi
• Kayizza Kibuuka
• Mawaggali Nowa
• Mayanja Kitoogo
• Muwanga
• Lwanga karoli
• Baanabakintu luuka
• Buuzabalyawo Yakobo
• Gyaviira
• Kiuuka Ambrosio
• Kiriggwajo Anatoli
• Kizito
• Lugido Mukasa Adolof
• Mugagga
• Sserunkuma Bruno
• Tuzinde Mbaga
• Kadoko Alexanda
• Mubi- azaalwa
• Munyangabyangu Robert
• Kifamunnyanja
• Kiwanuka Giyaza
• Kizza Fredrick
• Kwabafu
• Muwanga Njigija
• Lwakisinga Mukasa
• Lwanga
• Nakabandwa Danieri
• Wasswa
• Walukagga Nuwa
• Muzeeyi Jean-Marie.