📷 Uganda Martyrs’ Day - What you need to know

------------------

The seeds of Uganda Martyrs’ Day can be said to have unknowingly planted in 1875 when the British-American explorer Henry Morton Stanley arrived in the royal court of the Buganda Kabaka (king) Mutesa I around Munyonyo, central Uganda.

King Mutesa I warmly welcomed Stanley, seeing him as his kingdom’s new ally and an opportunity to face off Egyptian and Sudanese threats north of his kingdom.

During his month-long stay, Stanley aided the Kabaka in the battles against the autonomous Vumma of Buvumma Island on Lake Victoria, using his firearms.

The display of firepower deeply impressed Mutesa.

Though not a missionary, Stanley taught the Kabaka some rudiments of Christianity, while discrediting Islam.

Stanley also convinced Mutesa to invite Christian missionaries who would teach him and the people of his kingdom about the new faith.

The first Ugandan to be martyred was the King's major advisor and Christian leader, Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe, on November 15, 1885, for questioning the king about his sour relations with the missionaries.

Believing that more foreigners in his kingdom would significantly boost the firepower - mainly arms and gunpowder - he was getting from Arab traders, Mutesa enthusiastically accepted Stanley’s proposal.

In 1875, Stanley wrote an open letter in Kabaka Mutes’ name, inviting missionaries to Buganda Kingdom.

Missionaries arrive

Two missionary groups, the British Church Mission Society and the French White Fathers, arrived in 1877 and 1879 respectively.

Ironically, their arrival did not settle the Kabaka’s anxiety and increasing sense of insecurity as Andrew David Omona observes in commemorative June 3, 2022 article, “Martyrs’ Day: how life in Uganda today mirrors the dark old days of Kabaka,” published in “The Conversation.”

Internal factions

The Kabaka now had four different competing groups - the traditionalists, the Muslims, and the two Christian groups - to deal with.

While the older chiefs didn’t want to lose power, the younger chiefs saw an opportunity to take more power but were reportedly divided along the religious lines.

The sacrifice the new converts made created impetus in many around the country to convert to the new faith.

Hundreds of young converts of the new faith were sacked into the conflict.

Mwanga succeeds Mutesa

Amidst this tension, Mutesa 1 died in 1884 and was succeeded by his young, inexperienced Mwanga as the new Kabaka.

Young Mwanga tried to balance and contain the different rival groups by showing no preference, but the strong factions that had aligned along the different religious lines within the Court ganged against him.

Fearing the Christian faith might bring down the wrath of the ancestors on the kingdom, Kabaka Mwanga resorted to the traditionalists, who had forecast the arrival of an “invader” from the east to “devour” Buganda.

Murders Bishop Hannington, Ugandans

Treating his Christian subjects with great cruelty, Mwanga murdered the Anglican Bishop Harrington and turned against young men who stayed in the king’s court - locally called pages.

To garner support against them, he ordered the execution of the first three Baganda Anglican Christians on January 31, 1885 by having them beheaded, dismembered, speared, burned and castrated.

Pope Paul VI canonised the Catholic martyrs in 1964, and on June 3, 1975, he had a shrine dedicated to them.

This was to send a warning to his subjects and the missionaries alike that he was still the sovereign of his kingdom.

First martyrs

The first Ugandan to be martyred was the King's major advisor and Christian leader, Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe, on November 15, 1885, for questioning the king about his sour relations with the missionaries.

The first three Ugandan martyrs were Yusufu (Joseph) Rugarama, Makko (Mark) Kakumba and Nuwa (Noah) Serwanga.

Saint Kizito was the youngest martyr to be executed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga.

Three Ugandan women who participated with the Martyrs such as Sarah Nakima, Fanny Mubulire and Princess Clara Nalumansi were also executed. 

When Charles Lwanga, a missionary, attempted to shield the converted pages, Mwanga executed him and sixteen of his fellow missionaries for allegedly refusing to declare loyalty to the king.

By the end of the persecution in 1887, total of 45 martyrs - 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts – had been executed at Mwanga’s orders, the last being Jean-Marie Muzeyi.

Paradox

Paradoxically, the number and staunchness of Christians kept increasing and they turned against their traditional customs.

The 45 Ugandan Christians who were executed had embraced their fate.

The sacrifice the new converts made created impetus in many around the country to convert to the new faith.

Pope Paul VI canonised the Catholic martyrs in 1964, and on June 3, 1975, he had a shrine dedicated to them.

The Uganda martyrs shrine - Namugongo Shrine was constructed in commemoration of their sacrifice for the sake of the Christian faith in Uganda.

This is why Uganda Martyrs Day is celebrated on June 3 every year.

Today, more than 80% of the about 42 million people in Uganda are Christians.

How celebrated

The Martyrs’ day memorial takes the form of prayers, pilgrimage and singing praises.

Though other Ugandans use it as a time for merry making and business, Christians from other countries also travel to Uganda to join the memorial.

Why Uganda Martyrs’ Day is important

Learning from the past

It would be so much easier if we just covered up the past, especially when it comes to incidents of persecution. On Uganda Martyrs Day we’re reminded of the importance of being tolerant of other people’s cultures, beliefs, and religious freedoms.

 Honouring the martyrs

The 45 Ugandan Christians who were executed had embraced their fate. They stood firm and held onto their convictions knowing what the penalty may be, despite being promised mercy if they renounced their newfound religion. Such bravery and sacrifice should be emulated and celebrated.

The power of unity

The Christian martyrs were Anglicans and Catholics. Both sects were in fierce competition in Uganda at the time. But in the end, when it mattered, the martyrs stood together as Christians, with no regard for the different denominations. On Uganda Martyrs Day we’re reminded that united, we are strong.

The day, marked on 3 June every year since the 1920s, is therefore a pivotal celebration in the life and history of Christianity in Uganda.

How to observe Uganda martyrs’ day

 Pray to the martyrs

Customarily, pilgrims and Ugandans pray to the martyrs for guidance. It’s a simple but powerful way to honor them. Others bring offerings to the shrine.

Customarily, pilgrims and Ugandans pray to the martyrs for guidance. It’s a simple but powerful way to honor them. Others bring offerings to the shrine.

Read about the Church

The Church has played a major role in African history and continues to influence it today in different ways by providing various services, including humanitarian aid, education and healthcare. So, on Uganda Martyrs’ Day it is worth taking some time to explore this history and find out what more to do to help as a Christian.

Learn more about the martyrs

All the martyrs were trusted members of the Buganda kingdom royal court, missionaries, and even children. Learn more about them, so that their story is never forgotten.