Uganda Martyrs

UGANDA MARTYRS BIOGRAPHY 

  • St Charles Lwanga

    Lwanga Was A muganda of Bush-back (Tragelaphus Scriptus Ngabi). His Father was Mabingo, a bark-cloth maker Gwokiiya of mother and his mother Gwokiiya of the Genet clan. He was born about 1861 at Birinzi in Buddu County. Lwanga was brown, of mighty strength and a great wrestler.

    He Was and Exceptional Leader a head of the pages and as Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe, a great Christian Leader of both Catholics and Protestants.

    Lwanga is Admired for his Possibly untouched  virtue of Chastity.

    During the Christian Persecution Charles Lwanga displayed unshakable faith and exceptional Christian Bravery at Whom the christian Martyrdom of many pages was centered.

    To Punish him Lwanga was separated from the group by Ssenkoole,the assistant chief executioner, burnt in a slow fire from foot to head at Namugongo Busaale Charles Lwanga was Burnt at the Catholic Basilica, at exactly where the altar is Now.

    It was Thursday 3rd June 1886 towards noon. He was at the age of 25. Lwanga died in a slow painful fire while praying for the conversion of the executioners and the king    

    St Charles Lwanga is the patron of the African youth and of catholic action

  • St Mathias Kalembe Mulumba Wante

     A Musoga from Bunya. He was captured by a Muganda worrier Magatto who treated him as his own son and gave him the name of his own clan , the Edible Rat (Tryonomys Swinerenianus - Musu) 

    Mulumba because of his faithfulness and Justice was promoted to various posts, the highest being Assistant county chief of Bulemeezi and Ssingo consecutively. He had Many wives but fought hard to remain with one Kikuwambuzza or Kikuwa as his legal wife.

    Mulumba was a faithful courageous, penitent and powerful Leader. He died the most brutal and Lingering death at Old Kampala from 27th to 30th May 1886. 

    His Limbs were cut off first, Stript of flesh cut from his back and stayed in the state without a Complaint for three days praying for his country snd executioners.

    He was about 50 years old. Mulumba was the ideal chief and follower of christ, meek and Humble. Due to his humanity, Mulumba,though a big chief,used to carry his own luggage instead of giving it to his servants. He used to fast and make mortifications.

    Mulumba is the Patron of Chiefs and Families 

     

  • St Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe

    A Muganda of Grey-rat clan (kayozi). His father was Njubeeseeta Nkulakito, not Mazinga as some take it to be. His mother was Kajwahya, A mutooro not a Munyoro as it was believed.

    Mukasa was taken to King Muteesa 1's palace and Major-domo of King Muteesa I and King Mwanga II.

    Joseph Mukasa was the head of the Catholic Church in Uganda during the fight of the Catholic Missionaries to Tanganyika (Tanzania)/

    During the absence of the Missionaries the young church continued to grow

    At one occassion a cobra of about five feet entered king Muteesa's house and after failing to find a stick Mukasa rushed and Strangled it with his hands.

    The king from that time gave liberty to Christianity and named him BALIKUDDEMBE - the christians are at Peace to practice their religion.

    Balikuddembe was killed and his body burnt on Sunday November 15 , 1885 at Nakivubo at the age of 20 years, He was the first Ugandan Catholic Martyr. 

    Balikuddembe is the patron of politicians and chiefs

  • St Denis Ssebugwawo Wasswa

    He was a Muganda of the edible-rat (Tryonomys Swinderenianus - Musu) clan born at kigolooba in Bulemezi County. His father was Kajjansi and his mother Nsoga, a Musoga.

    His parents migratedto Bunono (Nkumba) in Busiro county.

    Ssebuggwawo served as a page in King Mwanga's Palace. He was a talented and devoted musician with Melodious voice.

    Denis fought hard against the shameful sexual plays he was induced to by King Mwanga.

    This Quickened his martyrdom. Ssebuggwawo was Zealous, devoted to his work and though young, a very strong catholic.

    Denis Ssebuggwawo was the first victim of King Mwanga's rage in the evening of the 25th May 1886.

    He was severely scourged by the King Himself. Ssebuggwawo was killed the following morning at Munyonyo (26th May 1886) at the age of 16.

    Denis was Zealous for Christian faith and renowned for his modesty.

    St Denis Ssebuggwawo is the patron of singers, musicians and choirs

  • St Andrew Kaggwa Kaahwa

    Kaggwa was a Munyoro  from Kkoki, Bukuumi Parish in Bugangaizi county. His father was Kahwa Kibijenge of the Kiwere clan. About  1869 Kaggwa  was captured by the Baganda raiders, brought to Buganda as one King Muteesa’s  pages.

    He was smart, clever, and obedient and soon became a skilled carpenter. Kaggwa became the Bands-master  General  (Mugoowa). He converted to Catholicism mainly because the Catholic missionaries had a sacrifice of celibacy to their God.

    Kaggwa because a zealous and pious Catholic. He was properly married to  Clare Batudde Nakazibwe, a muganda.

    Andrew Kaggwa had  a very strong faith. Proof :Kaggwa and his friend  Balikuddembe were constant at the parish and the missionaries had much confidence in them . But the Arabs through the mission boys  managed to steal a lot of property from the parish secretly. The missionaries jumped to a conclusion that it was no none other than Andrew and Joseph Mukasa. On learning of this Andrew and Joseph mukasa devoted themselves to prayer and put themselves into God’s providence. Some of their friends advised them to abandon the religion of the Whiteman . 

    “If it were  a religion of the White man we would have abandoned it by now”, they replied.”But it is the religion of God. The White man just brought this religion of God, we cannot therefore abandon God “ they continued.

    Andrew died a Martyr at the age of about thirty, Wednesday  May 26,1886. His hands were first cut off as ordered by the chancellor and his body chopped to pieces at Munyonyo.

    Andrew is the patron of teachers, catechists and families

  • St Ponsian Ngondwe

    Head of the of the clan).  His mother was mukomulwanyi (wife of a warrior). Ngondwe was born at Bulimu in kyaggwe county .he served as a page of king Muteesa 1. Later during king Mwanga’s reign Ngondwe was enrolled into militia. He was good at playing musical instruments and at parade. Thus he was made an assistant  bands- general.

    Ngondwe became a catholic baptized on Tuesday November 17, 1885 by father Pierre (Peter) Girand, 

    Ponsian was an active and zealous catholic who tried to school himself in Christian virtues.

    Shortly before the christian persecution, king mwanga ordered a cttle levy known as NSOMOLANO. One of Mukaajanga’s herdsmen stole his cow and falsely accused Ngondwe. When Mukaajanga heard of it he put Ponsiano into prison without a trial.

    When the Christian persecution broke out, king Mwanga remembered Ngondwe and ordered that he be taken to Namugongo to  b burnt to death. They were tied up on one rope with a muslim prisoner Abdul-azizi  buliwadda who had a different case.

    On reaching Ttabataba Tttakajjunge),Mukaajanga  took up his spear and drove it into Ngondwe several times until he was dead. It was Wednesday evening 26th may, 1886.

    He was about thirty years of age.

    He is the patron of the soldiers, policemen and militia.

     

  • St Athanasius Bazzekuketa Kizza

    Kizza was a Muganda of the monkey (Nkima) clan. His father was Kafeero Kabaalu Ssebaggala. The mother was Namukwaya Kaddulibaale Nalongo of the Buffalo clan. The martyr was born at Kikuma near Mulajje Parish Buleemezi  County.

    Bazzekuketta Kizza was taken to the palace of King Mwanga II and became a page under the leadership of Charles Lwanga who soon instructed the boy to Catholicism.

    Bazzekuketta was a clean, orderly, faithful, and obedient boy. He was selected to be in charge of the King’s ceremonial robes and ornaments.

    Kizza was chosen to be in charge of the King’s treasury of money and ivory though he was still a boy.

    While Bazzekuketta was performing his duties perfectly and taking the religious instructions seriously, King Mwanga started persecuting the Christians.

    Monday night 16, November 1885 eighteen Catechumens, in fear of being killed without receiving baptism were baptized, Bazzekuketta included. He got the name Anthanasius. Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe had been killed on 15th November 1885.

    Anthanasius was arrested with his fellow Christians on Wednesday 26th May 1886. He was very happy and always eager to die for Christ. The next morning on their way to Namugongo, Mukaajanga the chief executioner asked, ”who would like to be killed where your Christian leader Balikuddembe was killed?” . At once Anthanasius answered,” here I am why delay me as if there is no death here, and take me all the way to Namugongo?”. Anthanasius was speared to death at Nakivubo where Balikuddembe was martyred on Thursday day morning 27th May, 1886 at the age of twenty.

    Athanasius is a patron of those in charge of finance, treasury and banks.

     

  • St Gonzaga Gonza Nghonzabato

     Gonzaga was a Musoga. His father was Gonza of the family of Zibondo of  Bulamogi, belonging to the Bush-back (Ngabi) clan. The mother is not known. Gonzaga first lived at Kigulu at Busambira village, but later migrated to Bulamoji where Gonzaga was born. He was captured by Kasoma Tegusaaga Bulusi who treated him as his own son.  Gonzaga behaved very well. He was obedient, trustworthy, intelligent and hard working. 

    When king Muteesa 1 wanted boys for his service, Kasoma selected Gonzaga from among his sons for the job at the age of twelve. The boy worked in the palace’s private section of the enclosure under Joseph Mukasa who soon converted him to Catholicism.

    Gonzaga was a zealous and pious Catholic. One of the princesses fell in love with Namulabira, who was a friend of Gonzaga, but he refused, in revenge when the princess falsely accused him of falling in love with Nakya, one of the King’s wives. Nankya and Gonzaga were severely punished and Namulabira thrown into prison.

    Gonzaga begged Mabuzi, the prison manager to release Namulabira to resume his imprisonment. Gonzaga offered to go back home and prepare food for all the prisoners, for the food given to all the prisoners was little and not well prepared. Gonzaga was arrested at Munyonyo palace and spent a night at Mengo palace in chains. The executioner failed to remove them. But Gonzaga was determined to drag the chains fastened to his bleeding legs to Namugongo. On the way, he collapsed at Lubaawo junction and was speared to death by Mukajaanga, the chief executioner. On Thursday noon 27th may, 1886 at the age of 24.

    Gonzaga is the patron of prisoners, travelers, ill-treated  and those in trouble.

     

  • St Luke Baanabakintu

    Baanabakintu was a Muganda of the Lung-fish (Mamba) clan. His father was Mukwanga and his mother was Kusuubiza of the Nvuma (creeping plant) clan. Baanabakintu was born at Ntolomwe in Butambaa County. This is where Mukwanga and his son Baanabakintu picked up skills in the black-smith profession.

    He was also in charge of Mukwende’s fishermen on Lake Wamala, wood cutters, potters, cooks e.t.c. Baanabakintu was very clever with an exceptional memory, honest, cheerful, alert and respectful.

    The Christians of Miyana used to send Baanabakintu on foot to Kampala, a distance of forty miles or sixty-four kilometers every week for the priest’s Sunday sermons.

    He had to attend the Sunday sermon and almost everything word by word and by heart. The he could return to Mityna and relate the whole sermon to Mathias  Mulumba. Mulumba had to learn it, polish it and keep it for the following Sunday sermon at Mityana.

    Baanabakintu was baptized together with his friend Mulumba on Sunday 28th May 1882. Luke and Mulumba were arrested on Wednesday afternoon 26th May, 1886 at about 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon 27th May, 1886 at about 3.00 p.m., they were taken to Namugongo. But Mulumba was left behind  and killed at Old Kampala.

    Baanabakintu was taken to Namugongo where he was burnt to death on Ascension Day, Thursday noon 3rd June, 1886 at the age of about thirty.

    Luke is the patron saint of fishermen, sailors, mechanics, students and black-smiths.

     

  • St Noa Mawaggali

    Mawaggali was a Muganda of the Bush-back(Ngabi) clan. His father was Musaazi and his mother Mmeeme. He was born at Nkazibukulu in Ssingo County around  1851.

    There were nine children in the family but at the time of his death, two were only surviving. He and his sister Munakwatambuzamyoyo or in  short Munaku( the poor travels by thoughts.

    When he grew up he took up the services of Mukwenda. He soon learnt the new styles of pottery for the improvement of his work. He copied some Arab and European styles. For example cups, plates, teapots etc. due to his skills in pottery trustworthiness, proper arrangement and co-operation, he was popular he also used to tan hides.

    Despite all that Mawaggali remained poor  just at the verge of survival. But when he became a Christian, he put in all of his confidence and trust In God.

    Mawaggali was baptized on 1st November, 1885. He was a great friend of Mathias Mulumba with whom they worked in giving Catholic instructions.

    After the death of father  Musaazi, Mawaggali took his mother Mmeeme to and his only sister Mary Matilda Munaku, to live together with him.

    When the Christian persecution broke out, our martyr was at Mityana (Kiyinda) in Ssingo County. Very early on Monday  morning about 7 am 31st May 1886, Noa was speared to death because of his  religion by the executioner Kamanyi led by Mbugano. He was afterwards tied to a fig-tree, where dogs bit him up and finally his body was thrown into a road junction to frighten the Christians.

    He is the patron saint of the poor, technicians and the artists.

     

  • St James Buuzabalyawo Kalumba Ssebayigga

    Buuzabalyawo was a Muganda of the White Colobus Occidentalis (Ngeye) clan. James’ father was Ssebikejje kabazzi Kalinda and his mother was Lwambuzabuggyo of the Grasshopper clan.

    It was from Wamala his brother that Buuzabalyawo was taken to King Muteesa’s palace by Nalinnya Namukwaya one of his close relatives.

    He became a Catholic mainly after proving the celibacy of the Catholic Missionaries and the behavior of the Catholics, Joseph Mukasa, Balikuddembe and Andrew Kaggwa in particular.

    When King Muteesa I died, Buuzabalyawo left the palace. He went and lived with Andrew Kaggwa where he took up Catholic instructions seriously. When he had learnt enough, Kaggwa used to send him to the palace and thus teach the Catholic religion to the prince Mwanga.

    Buuzabalyawo picked up the skills and became one of Kaggwa’s able leaders of the King’s band.

    He was baptized on 16th November, 1885 and given the name James. Tuesday evening of 25th of May, 1886, when King Mwanga broke into rage torturing Denis Ssebugwawo, he mdly procedded to Andrew Kaggwa’s and found Buuzabalyawo.

    He pushed him over with his foot and ordered him to be arrested because he was a Christian. James was taken to Mengo with his fellow Christians and finally to Namugongo  where he was burnt to death on Thursday noon 3rd June, 1886 at the age of about 26.

    James is the patron saint of merchants and co-operatives.

     

  • St Ambrose Kibuuka Katekamu (Kateka Mulundaggana)

    Kibuuka was a Muganda of the Spiny Ant-eaters(Lugave) clan. He and his friend Achilles Kiwanuka were cousins. His father was Kisuule, an official King’s drummer of Mujaguzo.

    His father had many wives and about thirty children almost all girls. Kibuuka was almost the only boy that is why he was also called katekamulundaggana, in short Katekamu- the oly boy among many girls.

    Kibuuka with his cousin Kiwanuka and another boy Kigongo Ssemmindi Luinga were taken to king Mwanga’s palace and served as pages. By then he was sixteen years of age and were all put under the care of Charles Lwanga who converted all the three boys to Catholicism.

    Kibuuka was active social, talented and active in games, music and always cheerful, and charitable. H was a boy that hardly showed tiredness . on taking up Christinity, Kibuuka abondonned all his witchcraft and burnt it. He begged for baptism and he was baptized n Monday night 16th November, 1885. 

    When the Christian persecution broke out, Ambrose and his cousin Achilles were arrested. Their friend Kigongo went back and informed the parents of his friends’ arrests. They were arrested on Wednesday morning 26th May, 1886 and were both in the group of Charles Lwanga. They were taken to Namugongo,  and burnt to death on Thursday noon, 3rd June, 1886 at the age of 18.

    Ambrose is the patron of societies and youth movements such as scouts, YCW, Xaverians etc.

     

  • St Gyaviira Mayanja Musoke

    Musoke was a Muganda of the Lung-fish (Mamba) clan. He was a page under the command of Charles Lwanga. His main job was a messenger. He was quick, accurate, trustworthy and he hated back-biting.

    Gyaviira is a nick name which means ‘the place where he comes from is feared.’ This is referred to his place of origin, Seguku, along Kampala-Entebbe road. His father Ssemalago was a guardian of the important shrine and a famous priest to god Mayanja (a special leopard).

    He also gave the name Mayanja to his beloved son Gyaviira whom he was planning to take over the office in future. He had learnt a lot of tactics concerning witchcraft.

    But when Musoke was taken to the palace to serve as a page, Charles Lwanga miraculously converted him to Catholicism to a point of abandoning  and all his witchcraft and charms and burning them up.

    His parents heard of it and ordered him not  to do so; to choose between his ancestor’s religion or being thrown out of the clan. He chose the latter, never turning back. Thus Gyaviira was totally thrown out of his clan. He was happy to suffer for Christ.

    But on one day when h was splitting wood with Mukasa Kiriwawanvu, who was extra-ordinarily tall, the boy wanted to enjoy the fun of calling him Magulumpaali (long-legged).Kiriwawanvu was so annoyed that in turn he beat Musoke up whom I turn accused him to the king. The King imprisoned  Mukasa at Bumbale prison as a punishment.

    When the Christian persecution broke out, on their way to Namugongo, Gyaviira and Kiriwawanvu forgave each other and encouraged each other to die for Christ.

    Gyaviira was burnt to death at Namugongo, Thursday noon 3rd June, 1886 at the age of 17.

    Gyaviira is the patron saint of traffic communications and those troubled by witchcrafts.

     

  • St Anatoli Kirigwajjo

     Kirigwajjo was a Munyoro from Kyaka county in Toro. He was of the Basiita descent belonging to the bush-buck clan. His parents are unknown.

    He was captured by the raiding Baganda at the age of 16 and taken to a chief known as Kisomose. It was Kisomose who took him to the place of the King Muteesa 1 to serve as a page.

    Kirigwajjo served mainly in the Twekobe (King’s house) under Joseph Mukasa. He was a skilled  hunter and a good herdsman who had keen interest in both of these skills and who used his talents in them whenever he had a chance.

    The palace Kirigwajjo was impressed by good behavior of the Catholics, their kindness, trustworthiness particularly of Joseph Mukasa their leader and Andrew Kaggwa his fellow tribes man.

    He took up Catholic instruction given by these two. Kirigwajjo was a very strong and pious catholic. During King Mwang’s reign Kirigwajjo served in the audience hall. The King loved him and promoted him to a post of caring for his wives’ rooms and commodities from outside.

    Anatoli found out that the post would destroy his beloved virtue of chastity. H thus dared to decline the post though h was sure  would result into the loss  of his life. But this time though the king got very annoyed he did not order for his death.

    When the Christians persecution broke out, the King singled him out and said “This Munyoro page, refused the post I gave him, thus despising me.”

    Anatoli was burnt to death at Namugongo on 3rd June, 1886.

    He I the Patron of hunters and herdsmen

     

  • St Achiles Kiwanuka

     Kiwanuka was  a Muganda, of the Scarly Anteater (Manis Tricuspis Tremind Lugave )clan. His father was Kyazze. His mother was Nassazza Talidda of the Civet-cat clan.

    He was born at Luagala near Ssingo country. As Kiwanuka’s father was a deputy county chief for a long ime due to efficiency, the son soon become famous like his father and a gate keeper of Muwenda.

    At the age of fifteen Kiwanuka was selected to go and serve King Mwanga 11 as a page . he went with his cousin .Within them they took witchcraft for protection.

    But on arriving they were converted to Catholicism by their leader Charles Lwanga, convince and they burnt all. But their parents and relatives threw them out of the clan.

    Kiwanuka worked in the audience hall. But whenever he had a chance during his free time he could learn how to read and write. Sometimes he served as a messenger.

    He was also a good singer. Kiwanuka was baptized on Monday night 16th May,1886 at the age of seventeen.

    Achilles is patron of journalists, press writers, printers and artist.

  • St Kizito

     Kizito was the youngest of all the martyrs. He died at the age of 14. He was a Muganda of the Lung fish clan in the family of Gabunga.

    His father was Lukomera and his mother was Wangabira Kaddulubaale of the Civet-cat (Ffumbe) clan. Our martyr was born  the services of born in Bulemeezi County about 1872.

    He was selected to go for the services of King Mwanga 11 as a page and made to serve I the private chambers of the king. He was always jolly, good at sports mainly at swimming and wrestling. The boy was also playing music particularly at playing the xylophone. All that made him popular among his companions.

    King Mwanga used to force him to practice blandishments, but due to the constant help of mainly Charles Lwanga, the boy always stood firm against both the blandishments and the threats of the king.

    Kizito constantly besought Fr. Lourdel for baptism for fear of being put to death without being baptized. The priest always put him off because of his immature age.

    When the Christian persecution broke out, the night before the arrest, Kizito was baptized by Charles Lwanga in case of emergency and given the name John Baptist.

    He together with the other Christians was arrested on Wednesday morning 26th May 1886, given a death sentence and taken to Namugongo.

    On Ascension Day Thursday noon 3rd June, 1886. Kizito was burnt to death for Christ’s sake.

    He is the patron of young children particularly those below the age of 15

     

  • St Mbaaga Tuzinde

    Tuzinde was a Muganda of the Colubus monkey (Nkima) clan, his father was Katamiiza Mukaajanga, the chief executioner of the lung fish clan was his uncle by pact. Tuzinde’s mother was Bakuwamumanyi of the Yam fruit (kkobe) clan.

    Tuzinde was born about 1869 at Luyonga (Lumuli) village near Naddangira parish in Busiro County. He grew up with his parents, but at the age of 14 Tuzinde was taken to his uncle Mukaajanga who selected him to go to the palace to serve King Mwanga as a page.

    At the palace Tuzinde served as a page in the audience hall in charge of the food for the visitors.

    One day in a joking way some friends demanded  for meat from him and he answered “Mbaaga?” (am I slaughtering). Hence he was nicknamed Mbaaga.

    Mbaaga soon became interested in the Catholic faith due to the good examples of the Catholic pages. He was instructed by his leader Charles Lwanga.

    When the Christian persecution broke out, Mbaaga played a very heroic part in defense of his  vocation against hid uncle Mukaajanga right from the beginning to the end. His relatives did their best to make the boy deny the religion in order to save his life. But they failed at Namugongo,

    Mbaaga spent a week with his relatives forcing him to deny his religion. Despite the promises and tortures for a whole week and night they failed. At the Namugongo furnance, Mukajaanga tried the last time. The boy was hit on the head and is body was thrown on the pyre of Namugongo, where it was burnt to ashes for Christ on Thursday noon 3rd June, 1886.

    Mbaaga is the patron of vocations mainly of the seminarians, aspirants, postulants and novices.

     

  • St Mugagga Lubowa

    Lubowa was a Muganda of the Leopard (Ngo) clan. His father was Mazinga whohad three wives. The mother was Munanadduli Nassbwa of the Buffalo clan whogave her son another name “Mugagga”, expecting him to amass some fortune. The name means “he is  rich” according to the Kiganda custom. Mugagga was sent to Seddu Kakinda, the head of the clan for the better training of the clan affairs.

    It was Seddu who presented him to King Mwanga’s services as a page. He worked first in the audience hall under Charles Lwanga and then he was taken to the private section of the enclosure under Joseph Mukasa.

    It was these two who gave Lubowa instructions . He had fought hard against blandishments and threat of the King for the virtue of Chastity. He was very much helped by Balikuddembe and Lwanga because he was open to them.

    Lubowa was kind cooperative, intelligent, trustworthy, always ready to help others but not caring for himself and dressing rather  roughly. He was strong in both body and determination and used to gather his equals for religious instruction, games, handcraft etc. that they used to do during their free time. When the persecution broke out, the night before the arrest, Mugagga was baptized by Charles Lwanga.

    He was arrested on Wednesday May 26th 1886 taken to Namugongo and burnt ti death on Thursday noon June 3rd 1886 at the age of sixteen

    Mugagga is the patron of clubs, community development, culture and home craft

  • St Mukasa Kiriwawanvu

    Mukasa was a Muganda of the sheep (Ovis-Ndiga) clan. Descending  from Mpanga of mbaale Mawokota County, in the family of Ndalu. His father was Lumanyika, a very good wrestler.

    He wrestled king Muteesa 1 down in a friendly contest. In recognition of his power the King gave him a Musoga girl called Malookuvaayo  and this was Lumanyika’s first wife thus the mother of Mukasa Kiriwawanvu.

    They moved from karyankolo in Ssingo County to Nakasawula also in Ssingo where Mukasa was born. At the age of about twelve, Mukasa was taken to his uncle mugulandiga, by then the deputy county chief of Ssingo. He was deputy to Kawulukusi Muwemba also of the same clan.

    It was Muwemba who took him to the palace of king Muteesa 1 to serve as a page at the age of 16. The boy was of exceptional strength an dheight. He like is father, was a very good wrestler though he was still young. He was in charge of serving food to th visitors and his fellow pages.

    While at the palace, Mukasa was attracted to the good behavior of the Catholics particularly of his two masters, Joseph Mukasa  and Charles Lwanga.

    One day, while splitting firewood, Gyaviira called him Magulumpaali (long-legged). Mukasa beat up Gyaviira and was taken to Kimbale prison near the palace without trial. When the Christian persecution broke out, the two met and forge each other and were burnt together at Namugongo on Thursday June 3rd 1886.

    Mukasa is the only martyr who received the baptism of blood.

    Mukasa is the patron of hotels bars and restaurants.

     

     

  • St Adolphus Mukasa Ludigo

     Ludigo was  a Mutoro, born in Musazi (katoosa) village in Myeri or Bufonjo locality in Menge county of Toro. His father was Bamwesekera and his mother KIyote.

    The  Baganda raiders captured him and took him to King Muteesa 1’s palace.  At the palace Ludigo was in charge of the gardens where the pages were supposed to work. The name Ludigo was a nickname cause he resembled a chief of Bunyoro called Ludigo.

    At the palace Ludigo was surprised and very much impressed by the good behavior of the catholic pages. Thus he having the Catholic instructions under Joseph Mukasa who also introduced him to the catholic missionaries for further instructions

    When the missionaries fled to Tanganyika in 1882, Ludigo went to Kaggwa’s home that turned into a new mission instead of  Lubya .On finding out that the number of converts was growing every day and the people had to eat, Ludigo went to the kitchen to help Kaggwa’s wife and other volunteers. He left the instructions to Andrew Kaggwa for most of the time.

    Ludigo was baptized very soon on Monday night November 16, 1885 and got the name Adolphus. This was the day that followed the killing of their mastr Joseph Mukasa.

    Adolphus anticipated his arrest and death, so he was very happy and put on his best as if he was preparing for a party. Over this beautiful tunic he wore his beautiful antelope skin which was for special occasions. He was arrested with other christians on Wednesday morning and taken to Namugongo where he was burnt to death on Ascension day, Thursday June 3rd 1886, at the age of twenty four

    Adolphus is the patron of farmers and herdsmen

     

  • St Bruno Sserunkuuma

    Sserunkuuma was a Muganda of the sheep (Ovis-Ndiga) clan. His father was Namujulirwa the county chief of Buddu (Pookino). Namujulirwa was a polygamist. Sserunkuuma’s mother was Ndibaliza of the monkey clan.

    He was born at masaka at the site of Ssaza (county) headquarters. Sserunkuuma was taken to King Muteesa  1’s palace. We don’t know when, but we are sure that in 1876 he was at that place with Byakweyamba and given the post of kitanda outside the palace.

    He was one of the first pages Joseph Mukasa converted to the catholic faith. He was violent, cruel, lived recklessly, was impudent and a drunkard.

    He strove manfully to master his temper and to control his passions. But even after baptism, Sserunkuuma had not yet fully mastered himself. At one occasion King Mwanga gave him two beautiful girls in appreciation for his work.

    Sserunkuuma took them home as his wives and soon made one of them pregnant.

    When his fellow Catholics, Charles Lwanga and Andrew Kaggwa in particular learnt of it, they worked hard to help him as a friend. He listened to their advice, called for Father Lourdel and made a sincere confession, so determine Sserunkuuma left his wives and roperty and went to one  of te corners of the palace where he devoted himself to prayer, penace, eaching of religion and works of mercy.

    This is where the Christian persecution met him. On his way to Namugongo his brother Bbosa gave him beer. But remembering the thirst of Christ on the cross, he refused it. He constantly and bravely encouraged others not to give up. He died on 3rd June 1886.

    He is the patron saint of alcoholic, the violent, those with lust of flesh and improper marriage.

  • St John Mary Kiwanuka Muzeeyi

    Kiwanuka was a Muganda of the Buffalo (mbogo)clan originating from Ssenge in Busiro county.

    His father was Bunga who had many wives n about one hundred children. Of these, seventy four survived forty one boys and thirty three girls. His mother was Kaswa of the monkey clan.

    Kiwanuka was born at Minziiro at the boundary of Tanzania and Uganda. He was brought up ay kakuuto near Bigad Parish

    It was Bigomba an official in the private apartment of the king who took Kiwanuka to the people of the King Muteesa1. Bigomba was in charge of the intelligence department.

    The boy worked as a page. Kiwanuka was exceptionally intelligent, when he took up the catholic instructions: it took him only three days to learn all the prayers and the whole catechism in four months.

    Muzeyi had an exceptional devotion and knowledge in the traditional medicine of various diseases. Though not  official, John Mary Kiwanuka Muzeeyi  could be considered the first Ugandan Religious (brother). On Sunday November 1, 1885 .

     

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