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Uganda Martyrs

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Uganda Martyrs

The Uganda Martyrs are a group of 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts to Christianity in the kingdom of Buganda, now part of Uganda, who were executed between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887. They were killed on orders of Mwanga II, the Kabaka (King) of Buganda. The deaths took place at a time when there was a three-way religious struggle for political influence at the Buganda royal court. The episode also occurred against the backdrop of the "Scramble for Africa" – the invasion, occupation, division, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers. A few years after, the English Church Missionary Society used the deaths to enlist wider public support for the British acquisition of Uganda for the Empire. The Catholic Church beatified the 22 Catholic Uganda martyrs of its faith in 1920 and they were canonized in 1964 by Pope Paul VI at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. In 2024, the remains of two Catholic Uganda martyrs, Charles Lwanga and Mathias Mulumba, were returned to Uganda.

Infobox

Died
1885–87, Uganda
Martyred by
Mwanga II
Venerated in
Catholic ChurchAnglican CommunionLutheranism
Feast
3 June
Notable martyrs
mw- Charles Lwanga Kizito Andrew Kaggwa

Tables

· Catholic Church veneration › List of the 22 Catholic martyrs<sup><span>[</span>7<span>]</span></sup><sup><span>[</span>45<span>]</span></sup>
Achilleus Kewanuka
Achilleus Kewanuka
#
1.
Name
Achilleus Kewanuka
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
17 years
Patron saint of
journalists, press writers, printers and artist.
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Adolphus Ludigo-Mukasa
Adolphus Ludigo-Mukasa
#
2.
Name
Adolphus Ludigo-Mukasa
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
24 years
Patron saint of
farmers and herdsmen
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Ambrose Kibuuka Katekamu (Kateka Mulundaggana)
Ambrose Kibuuka Katekamu (Kateka Mulundaggana)
#
3.
Name
Ambrose Kibuuka Katekamu (Kateka Mulundaggana)
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
18 years
Patron saint of
societies and youth movements such as scouts, YCW, Xaverians etc.
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Anatoli Kirigwajjo
Anatoli Kirigwajjo
#
4.
Name
Anatoli Kirigwajjo
Date of death
3 June 1886
Patron saint of
hunters and herdsmen
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Andrew Kaggwa Kaahwa
Andrew Kaggwa Kaahwa
#
5.
Name
Andrew Kaggwa Kaahwa
Date of death
26 May 1886
Age at death
about 30 years
Patron saint of
teachers, catechists and families
Killed using
Panga and a knife
Athanasius Bazzekuketa Kizza
Athanasius Bazzekuketa Kizza
#
6.
Name
Athanasius Bazzekuketa Kizza
Date of death
27 May 1886
Age at death
20 years
Patron saint of
those in charge of finance, treasury and banks.
Killed using
Spear
Bruno Sserunkuuma
Bruno Sserunkuuma
#
7.
Name
Bruno Sserunkuuma
Date of death
3 June 1886
Patron saint of
alcoholic, the violent, those with lust of flesh and improper marriage.
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Charles Lwanga
Charles Lwanga
#
8.
Name
Charles Lwanga
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
25 years
Patron saint of
African youth and Catholic action
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Denis Ssebuggwawo Wasswa
Denis Ssebuggwawo Wasswa
#
9.
Name
Denis Ssebuggwawo Wasswa
Date of death
25 May 1886
Age at death
16 years
Patron saint of
singers, musicians and choirs
Killed using
hacked to death
Gonzaga Gonza Nghonzabato
Gonzaga Gonza Nghonzabato
#
10.
Name
Gonzaga Gonza Nghonzabato
Date of death
27 May 1886
Age at death
24 years
Patron saint of
prisoners, travellers, ill-treated  and those in trouble.
Killed using
Spear
Gyavira Mayanja Musoke
Gyavira Mayanja Musoke
#
11.
Name
Gyavira Mayanja Musoke
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
17 years
Patron saint of
traffic communications and those troubled by witchcrafts
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
James Buuzabalyawo Kalumba Ssebayigga
James Buuzabalyawo Kalumba Ssebayigga
#
12.
Name
James Buuzabalyawo Kalumba Ssebayigga
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
26 years
Patron saint of
merchants and co-operatives
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
John Mary Kiwanuka Muzeeyi
John Mary Kiwanuka Muzeeyi
#
13.
Name
John Mary Kiwanuka Muzeeyi
Date of death
27 January 1887
Patron saint of
Panga
Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe
Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe
#
14.
Name
Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe
Date of death
15 November 1885
Age at death
20 years
Patron saint of
politicians and chiefs
Killed using
Panga and fire
Kizito
Kizito
#
15.
Name
Kizito
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
13-14
Patron saint of
young children particularly those below the age of 15
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Luke (Lukka) Baanabakintu
Luke (Lukka) Baanabakintu
#
16.
Name
Luke (Lukka) Baanabakintu
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
30 years
Patron saint of
fishermen, sailors, mechanics, students and black-smiths.
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Mathias Kalemba Mulumba Wante
Mathias Kalemba Mulumba Wante
#
17.
Name
Mathias Kalemba Mulumba Wante
Date of death
30 May 1886
Age at death
50 years
Patron saint of
Chiefs and Families
Killed using
Knife and Pangas
Mbaaga Tuzinde
Mbaaga Tuzinde
#
18.
Name
Mbaaga Tuzinde
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
17 years
Patron saint of
vocations mainly of the seminarians, aspirants, postulants and novices
Killed using
Stick and Fire
Mugagga Lubowa
Mugagga Lubowa
#
19.
Name
Mugagga Lubowa
Date of death
3 June 1886
Age at death
16 years
Patron saint of
clubs, community development, culture and home craft
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Mukasa Kiriwawanvu
Mukasa Kiriwawanvu
#
20.
Name
Mukasa Kiriwawanvu
Date of death
3 June 1886
Patron saint of
hotels bars and restaurants
Killed using
Fire (burnt)
Noa Mawaggali
Noa Mawaggali
#
21.
Name
Noa Mawaggali
Date of death
31 May 1886
Patron saint of
the poor, technicians and the artists
Killed using
Tied on the tree and dogs bit and then thrown on the road
Ponsiano Ngondwe
Ponsiano Ngondwe
#
22.
Name
Ponsiano Ngondwe
Date of death
26 May 1886
Age at death
30 years
Patron saint of
soldiers, policemen and militia
Killed using
Spear
#
Name
Date of death
Age at death
Patron saint of
Killed using
1.
Achilleus Kewanuka
3 June 1886
17 years
journalists, press writers, printers and artist.
Fire (burnt)
2.
Adolphus Ludigo-Mukasa
3 June 1886
24 years
farmers and herdsmen
Fire (burnt)
3.
Ambrose Kibuuka Katekamu (Kateka Mulundaggana)
3 June 1886
18 years
societies and youth movements such as scouts, YCW, Xaverians etc.
Fire (burnt)
4.
Anatoli Kirigwajjo
3 June 1886
hunters and herdsmen
Fire (burnt)
5.
Andrew Kaggwa Kaahwa
26 May 1886
about 30 years
teachers, catechists and families
Panga and a knife
6.
Athanasius Bazzekuketa Kizza
27 May 1886
20 years
those in charge of finance, treasury and banks.
Spear
7.
Bruno Sserunkuuma
3 June 1886
alcoholic, the violent, those with lust of flesh and improper marriage.
Fire (burnt)
8.
Charles Lwanga
3 June 1886
25 years
African youth and Catholic action
Fire (burnt)
9.
Denis Ssebuggwawo Wasswa
25 May 1886
16 years
singers, musicians and choirs
hacked to death
10.
Gonzaga Gonza Nghonzabato
27 May 1886
24 years
prisoners, travellers, ill-treated and those in trouble.
Spear
11.
Gyavira Mayanja Musoke
3 June 1886
17 years
traffic communications and those troubled by witchcrafts
Fire (burnt)
12.
James Buuzabalyawo Kalumba Ssebayigga
3 June 1886
26 years
merchants and co-operatives
Fire (burnt)
13.
John Mary Kiwanuka Muzeeyi
27 January 1887
Panga
14.
Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe
15 November 1885
20 years
politicians and chiefs
Panga and fire
15.
Kizito
3 June 1886
13-14
young children particularly those below the age of 15
Fire (burnt)
16.
Luke (Lukka) Baanabakintu
3 June 1886
30 years
fishermen, sailors, mechanics, students and black-smiths.
Fire (burnt)
17.
Mathias Kalemba Mulumba Wante
30 May 1886
50 years
Chiefs and Families
Knife and Pangas
18.
Mbaaga Tuzinde
3 June 1886
17 years
vocations mainly of the seminarians, aspirants, postulants and novices
Stick and Fire
19.
Mugagga Lubowa
3 June 1886
16 years
clubs, community development, culture and home craft
Fire (burnt)
20.
Mukasa Kiriwawanvu
3 June 1886
hotels bars and restaurants
Fire (burnt)
21.
Noa Mawaggali
31 May 1886
the poor, technicians and the artists
Tied on the tree and dogs bit and then thrown on the road
22.
Ponsiano Ngondwe
26 May 1886
30 years
soldiers, policemen and militia
Spear
List of the 23 Anglican martyrs[7] · Anglicanism
Makko Kakumba
Makko Kakumba
#
1.
Name
Makko Kakumba
Date of death and age
31 January 1885
Killed using
hacked and burnt
Yusuf Rugalama
Yusuf Rugalama
#
2.
Name
Yusuf Rugalama
Date of death and age
31 January 1885
Killed using
hacked and burnt
Mukasa Musa
Mukasa Musa
#
3.
Name
Mukasa Musa
Date of death and age
25 May 1886
Killed using
speared
Mbwa Eriya
Mbwa Eriya
#
4.
Name
Mbwa Eriya
Date of death and age
27 May 1886
Killed using
castrated
Muddu Aguma
Muddu Aguma
#
5.
Name
Muddu Aguma
Date of death and age
2 May 1886
Killed using
castrated
Daudi Muwanga
Daudi Muwanga
#
6.
Name
Daudi Muwanga
Date of death and age
1886
Killed using
castrated
Muwanga
Muwanga
#
7.
Name
Muwanga
Date of death and age
31 May 1886
Killed using
castrated
Kayizzi Kibuuka
Kayizzi Kibuuka
#
8.
Name
Kayizzi Kibuuka
Date of death and age
31 May 1886
Killed using
castrated
Mayanja Kitoogo
Mayanja Kitoogo
#
9.
Name
Mayanja Kitoogo
Date of death and age
31 May 1886
Killed using
castrated
Nuwa Walukagga
Nuwa Walukagga
#
10.
Name
Nuwa Walukagga
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Alexander Kadoko
Alexander Kadoko
#
11.
Name
Alexander Kadoko
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Frederick Kizza
Frederick Kizza
#
12.
Name
Frederick Kizza
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Robert Munyagabyangu
Robert Munyagabyangu
#
13.
Name
Robert Munyagabyangu
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Danieri Nakabandwa
Danieri Nakabandwa
#
14.
Name
Danieri Nakabandwa
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Kiwanuka Giyaza
Kiwanuka Giyaza
#
15.
Name
Kiwanuka Giyaza
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Mukasa Lwakisiga
Mukasa Lwakisiga
#
16.
Name
Mukasa Lwakisiga
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Charles Lwanga (Catholic but honoured in Anglicanism)
Charles Lwanga (Catholic but honoured in Anglicanism)
#
17.
Name
Charles Lwanga (Catholic but honoured in Anglicanism)
Date of death and age
3 June 1886 at 25 years
Killed using
burnt
Mubi Azaalwa
Mubi Azaalwa
#
18.
Name
Mubi Azaalwa
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Wasswa
Wasswa
#
19.
Name
Wasswa
Date of death and age
25 May 1886
Killed using
spear and knife
Kwabafu
Kwabafu
#
20.
Name
Kwabafu
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Kifamunnyanja
Kifamunnyanja
#
21.
Name
Kifamunnyanja
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Muwanga Njigiya
Muwanga Njigiya
#
22.
Name
Muwanga Njigiya
Date of death and age
3 June 1886
Killed using
burnt
Nuwa Sserwanga
Nuwa Sserwanga
#
23.
Name
Nuwa Sserwanga
Date of death and age
31 January 1885
Killed using
hacked and burnt
#
Name
Date of death and age
Killed using
1.
Makko Kakumba
31 January 1885
hacked and burnt
2.
Yusuf Rugalama
31 January 1885
hacked and burnt
3.
Mukasa Musa
25 May 1886
speared
4.
Mbwa Eriya
27 May 1886
castrated
5.
Muddu Aguma
2 May 1886
castrated
6.
Daudi Muwanga
1886
castrated
7.
Muwanga
31 May 1886
castrated
8.
Kayizzi Kibuuka
31 May 1886
castrated
9.
Mayanja Kitoogo
31 May 1886
castrated
10.
Nuwa Walukagga
3 June 1886
burnt
11.
Alexander Kadoko
3 June 1886
burnt
12.
Frederick Kizza
3 June 1886
burnt
13.
Robert Munyagabyangu
3 June 1886
burnt
14.
Danieri Nakabandwa
3 June 1886
burnt
15.
Kiwanuka Giyaza
3 June 1886
burnt
16.
Mukasa Lwakisiga
3 June 1886
burnt
17.
Charles Lwanga (Catholic but honoured in Anglicanism)
3 June 1886 at 25 years
burnt
18.
Mubi Azaalwa
3 June 1886
burnt
19.
Wasswa
25 May 1886
spear and knife
20.
Kwabafu
3 June 1886
burnt
21.
Kifamunnyanja
3 June 1886
burnt
22.
Muwanga Njigiya
3 June 1886
burnt
23.
Nuwa Sserwanga
31 January 1885
hacked and burnt

References

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