The Uganda Christians Martyrs are 45 in total and were executed between the years 1885 and 1887; 23 Anglicans and 22 catholic converts.
The murder of these martyrs occurred partly in different places.
Twenty-two catholic converts were murdered at Namugongo. The event has since inspired many Ugandans to formed a strong sense of faith which is partly attributed to the heroic acts recorded in the chronicles of Uganda martyrdom of the 45 Uganda natives.
List of the Uganda Martyrs
Bishop Hunnington was the only foreign Uganda martyr to be murdered. The rest of the list is Buganda and Busoga natives, most of whom were teens.
1. Yusuf Rugarama
2. Kakumba Makko
3. Ssrwanga Nuwa
4. Balikuddembe Mukasa
5. Mukasa Musa
6. Kaggwa Anderea
7. Ngondwe Posiano
8. Ssbuggwawo Denis
9. Bazzekuketta Antanansio
10. Gonza Gonzaga
11. Mbwa Eriya
12. Muddu-aguma
13. Mulumba Matiya
14. Muwanga Daudi
15. Kayizzi Kibuuka
16. Mawaggali Nowa
17. Mayanja Kitoogo
18. Muwanga
19. Lwanga Karoli
20. Baanabakintu Lukka
21. Buuzabalyawo Yakobo
22. Gyaviira
23. Kiuuka Ambrosio
24. Kiriggwajjo Anatoli
25. Kiriwawanvu Mukasa
26. Kiwanuka Achileo
27. Kizito
28. Lugido mukasa adolofu
29. mugagga
30. sserunkuuma Bruno
31. tuzinde mbaga
32. kadoko alexanda
33. Mubi-Azaalwa
34. Munyangabyangu Robert
35. Kifamunnyanja
36. Kiwanuka Giyaza
37. Kizza Frederick
38. Kwabafu
39. Muwanga Njigija
40. Lwakisinga Mukasa
41. Lwanga
42. Nakabandwa Danieri
43. Wasswa
44. Walukagga Nuwa
45. Muzeeyi Jean-Marie
Two more Uganda martyrs were executed by the use of spears in Paimpol in the year 1918. The two were Daudi Okelo and Jildo Iowa.
The ‘forgotten’ Muslim martyrs
Long before the 45 Uganda martyrs were killed, an estimate of about 70 Muslims had been killed under the orders of Kabaka Mutesa I. Their murder came after several tales of strict observance of the Muslim laws prohibiting eating meat slaughtered by the uncircumcised.
Kabaka Mutesa I was a Muslim. He became an Imam because of his love for the Muslim religion. He, however, feared circumcision, and this made his subordinates criticize him. The Muslim martyrs refused to eat meat slaughtered by uncircumcised Muslims and non-Muslims.
These martyrs were accused of treason and were lynched at Namugongo just next to Namugongo Church of Uganda.
But their story was not told and they were not recognized until when Iddi Amin became president. Amin constructed a mosque near the Namugongo Church of Uganda for the Muslim martyrs.
Who was the First Uganda Martyr to be killed?
Yususf Rugarama, Nuwa Serwanga and Makko Kakumba were the first Uganda martyrs. The execution of the three was done on 31 January 1885, just a year after Kabaka Mwanga the second had succeeded his father. Later on that year, Bishop Hannington, on returning to Uganda, was also murdered in the now Mayuge district, eastern Uganda.
Joseph Mukasa was the first Catholic Uganda Martyr. His execution happened in January under the suggestions of Katikiro Mukasa.
Why was he killed?
Katikiro Mukasa received a hint that Joseph Mukasa would become a king. Katikiro, therefore, developed jealousy, grudge, and hatred towards Joseph Mukasa.
Why were the Uganda Martyrs killed?
The specific reasons for the murder of each martyr varies, thus they have created a considerable debate.
Some martyrs went missing when summoned by Kabaka.
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is not something new in Uganda. Some of the Martyrs were executed because of refusing to have man-to-man sexual intercourse with Kabaka Mwanga. To Kabaka it was a crimes for anyone saying no to his sexual advances. Some at the point of execution denounced their faith and were spared from death.
They knew they were going to be killed
Mwanga summoned the martyrs and asked for those who love to pray to stand on one side.
Most of them being youths, stood aside and declared themselves as worshipers of the Christian religion. Their age bracket approximately ranged from 10 to 30. They were later executed.
The youngest Uganda Martyr
Kizito was the youngest of the martyrs. He was burned alive on the order of King Mwanga II of Buganda on June 3rd, 1886 in Namugong.
The way they were killed and how Kabaka would use their ashes in rituals
The Uganda martyrs were beheaded, tortured, or burnt alive to death.
The burning of martyrs began at Gombolola, Mengo, the place of the sacred fire, and ended at Nakiyanja, the site of execution. The holy fire never went off unless a king died and was reignited on the entry of another king. Ssenkole who was the deputy executioner managed the holy fire. He took ash of the killed to use it to protect the king from the dead spirits.
SSenkole would bring fire on the day of execution using reeds, though not up to the place of performance. The blood of the executed was not to be spilled at Nakiyanja.
More facts you need to know
1. Family members were not allowed to bid farewell to their loved ones at Nakiyanja.
2. Farewells were done at the present-day place, Kyaliwajjala.
3. The fire was ignited to each condemned while cursing them that disobedience to Kabaka and all Buganda spirits killed them.
The writer’s word
Human beings should embrace respecting each other’s religion. Respecting each other’s religion ensures peace and harmony amongst ourselves.
I congratulate Jinja Diocese for having organised what by my eyes seems to be the biggest Marty’s Day event in the history of Martys in Uganda.
