Uganda Martyr’s Pilgrimage

BRIEF HISTORY FOR EACH MARTYR

1-ST.JOSEPH MUKASA BALIKUDDEMBE:

He was born in Mawokota County, bordering Lake Victoria in the Kingdom of Buganda. His father, Kajwayo was of Kayozi (Giant Rat) clan and his mother was a cousin of Mazinga one of Kajwayo’s eight wives and she was a Munyoro by tribe. Mukasa was presented to the King (Kabaka) Mutesa 1 who welcomed the Christian Missionaries in Buganda, at the age of 14 to be one of his pages. When Kabaka Mutesa 1 died his heir Kabaka Mwanga did not like to Christianity and he is the one who ordered to kill the Martyrs.     However Mukasa continued to serve the new King (Kabaka Mwanga). Mukasa was the first Martyr to be killed on the 15^th November, 1885. He was killed because he pleaded with the King Mwanga to abandon the vice of Homosexuality and not to kill Bishop Hannington an Anglican missionary who entered Buganda through Busonga. (The backdoor of Buganda Kingdom.) He was executed at a spot near Nakivubo River, between Mengo and Nakasero Hill. He forgave the king and all his enemies at this spot then he was knifed and burned to ashes on a pyre. PATRON of Justice and Peace, Patron of Civil Servants, Men, Bankers and Accountants

2- ST.JOHN MARY MUZENYI:

He was given a name Muzenyi because he was exceptionally brilliant and an excellent adviser. He was a member of buffalo family he was born in hamlet of Kisoberwa near Migiro in Buddu County between the years of 1852-1857. His father Bunyaga held a royal appointment as a shoulder bearer to the Kabaka of Buddu County. His mother was Nnamalayo of Monkey clan (Nkima). He was 30 -35 year of age at the time of his martyrdom. When Muzenyi learnt that the King was looking for the Christians he went into hiding then the King made false announcement that he was no longer going to kill the Christians.   So Muzenyi came out of his hiding as soon as the King saw him he ordered for the immediate slaughter of the Martyr. PATRON of Nurses, Doctors and Patients.

3-ST.MBAAGA TUZINDE:

He was born at Bunyonga in Bonior County. His real parents were Katamiza Waggumbulizi of the Lungfish (Mamba Clan) His father had ten wives. His mother was Mmumanyi Bukuwa of the Yam fruit (Kkobe) clan. Mbaaga’s grandfather Kikanyogo and Salasamba the father of the Executor Chief Mukanjanga were very close friends and made a blood-pact together. So it made it so difficult for Mukanjaga to kill St Mbaaga. Before he was killed he spent one week with his family trying to convince him to give up Christianity but he refused so Mukaanjaga ordered his assistant to club the boy on the nape of the neck and threw the lifeless body into the flames not to feel the pain. He met his martyrdom at the age of seventeen at Namugongo. PATRONof Seminarians, Novices, Drivers and Farmers

4- ST. ACHILLES KIWANUKA:

He was born at Lulagala in Ssingo County. His father was Kyazze of a Scaly Ant-eater (Lugave) clan. And his mother was Nassaza Talidda of the Civet cat (Ffumbe) clan. He was baptized by Pere Louedel on the night of 16^th November, 1885 received the name of Achilles. He was 17years of age when he was burnt alive in the Namugongo fires with other Martyrs on the afternoon of 3 June, 1886. PATRON of Journalists, Scouts, Girl Guides, Y.C.S and Universities

5- ST KIZITO:

He was the youngest of all the Martyrs he was martyred at the age of 14 years. St. Kizito father was Lukomera of the Long- fish (Mamba clan). And his mother was Wangabira of the Civet Cat (Fumbe) clan. He was adopted by Nyika who had a blood –pact with his parents. Nyika was a chief to the king so St Kizito worked as page in the King’s apartment. He was very handsome and he was attracted to the king, he became a target object of the king’s homosexually lust. But St. Kizito exhibited an admirable sense of maturity and prudence by rejecting the king’s advances. He was baptized on the night of 25^th May, 1886 and martyred next day when the flames rose their voices were heard praying until they died. PATRON of Children, Youth, and Catholic Lay Movements and PMS.

6-ST. LUKA BAANABAKINTU:

He was one of the three Martyrs from Mityana forth five miles from the capital of the kingdom of Buganda. His father was Mukwanga was of Eel branch of the Lungfish (Mamba) clan. He had 10 wives and 30 children and St Luka was the eldest from his first wife Kusubiza of the Seed (Nvuma) clan. He was born in the hamlet of Ntolomwe in Gomba County. He walked from Mityana to Namugongo on the 25^th May,1886 he spent a night with his friend in Mengo and the next he continued to Namugongo he did not want to betray his people he taught Christianity in Mityina. Whenever he could, St Luke made the twelve hour journey to the mission in order to receive the Sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist. He was between thirty and thirty five old at the time of his martyrdom in Namugongo. PATRON of Families, Chiefs, Fishermen, Artists and Mechanics

7- ST. NOA MAWAGGALI:

His father was Musaazi of the Bush –Buck (Ngabi) clan and his mother was Meeme. He was an expert potter and was appointed potter to the county chief who greatly admired his work. After living in the chief’s house for sometime he went and stayed with his friend St. Mathias Kalemba also a Martyr who induced his to join the Catholic caterchumenate. When the persecution of 1886 broke out he went to St Banabakintu to give instruction to the Christians who were there and tell them to escape. Kamanyi the king’s chief drummer plugged his spear into Mawaggali’s back that fell grievously wounded. The wounded martyr was then tied on a tree and dogs were sent upon him. At nightfall his mingled remains were untied from the tree and left on the road as a warning to other Christians. A portion of the tree on which the martyr was tied on is preserved at Mityana, where a magnificent modern shrine commemorates all three martyrs of Mityana, ST MATHIAS KALEMBA, ST LUKA BANABAKINTU and ST. NOWA MAWAGGALI. PATRON of Families, Chiefs, Fishermen, Artists and Mechanics

8-ST.GYAVIIRA MUSOKE:

He was a son of Ssemalago a chief the Kabaka Mwanga and also a great friend of his. His father was polygamist had 50 wives children. He believed in witchcraft and he wanted St. Gyavira to be the head of the shrine. When St. Gyavira became a king’s pages boy St. Lwanga taught he the Catholic religion and he joined the Catholic faith. When he joined the Catholic Faith he was alienated from his clan and family and they saw him as an outcast. He was condemned to death on the 26^th May, 1886 and was burnt alive to death on the 3^rd June, 1886 at Namugongo and he was no more than seventeen years of age. PATRON of Seminarians, Novices, Drivers and Farmers

9- ST. ANTANANZIO BAZZEKUKETTA:

His father was Kafeero Kabalu Sebaggala of the Monkey (Nkima) clan and his mother was Namukwaya of the Buffalo (Mbogo) clan. He was harshly invaded with a disease of Smallpox he was approached by one of his companions and he advised his that baptism was the only remedy for his illness so he was baptized. When he recovered, he went back to the Kabaka’s service he found there able instructors, St. Joseph Mukasa, St John Maria Muzenyi and St Charles Lwanga. Before his martyrdom he was put into prison the next day they were being taken to Namugongo he requested the executioners to kill him. The next day he was taken to the spot at the foot of Mengo Hill behind the Nakivumbo Stadium and there hacked to pieces on the morning of 27^th May, 1886.   He was the fifth Martyr and he was about 20 years. PATRON of Justice and Peace, Patron of Civil Servants, Men, Bankers and Accountants

10- ST CHARLES LWANGA:

He is considered as an astute moral leader of the Uganda Martyrs. According to official Catholic Church documents St. Lwanga was a crusader of faithfulness and chastity. He jealously guarded his companions against the illegal ‘’immoral acts and homosexual demands of then ruler of Buganda, Kabaka Mwanga. He was the chief head of the entire pages servant in the Kabaka’s palace. The day before he was burnt he was peaceful and cheerful even requested to be untied such that he would help to assemble the sticks of the fare he was to face. He was baptized that night. St Lwanga was burnt to death on Mwanga’s orders on the 3^rd June, 1886 at the current Alter inside the Basilica at Namugongo Shrine. PATRONof Children, Youth, and Catholic Lay Movements and PMS.

11- ST ANDREW KAGGWA:

He was a Munyoro he was captured and carried off as a slave by a party of Buganda, raiding the boarder county of Bugangaizi.The explorer Stanley when they came to Buganda in 1878; he came with the European drums which Kling Mutesa admired very much. He appointed St. Kaggwa as the king’s chief drum. When the young Prince Mwanga took power he reappointed St Kaggwa to be the band master. St Kaggwa joined Catholic catechuenate in June, 1880 and he was baptized him Andrew on 30^th April, 1882. The king wanted to spare St. Kaggwa and not kill him but his Chancellor Mukasa kept pressing the king for the death of St Kaggwa. The king kept on delaying the slaughter of St Kaggwa but the martyr insisted to be killed. They first chopped off his arm, he sent it to the Chancellor then they beheaded him and cut his body into pieces. His martyrdom took place in Muyonyo and the Christians later burned his body there. PARTON of Teachers, Catechists, Business Men and Women and Hunters

12-ST.BRUNO SSERUNKUUMA:

His father was Namujulirwa of Ndiga (sheep) clan and he was the Pookino (the county chief of Buddu). He was brought up in a loose way and grows up with abhorable manners. He was baptized on the n15November, 1885 by Pere Giraurd and he was burnt alive in Namugongo on the 3^rd June, 1886 at the age of 30 years. PARTON of Penitents, tempted to lust of flesh, drinking, violence and unlawful marriages.

13- ST.MATIA MULUMBA:

He was born in Bunya County in eastern Uganda. He was a Musonga by tribe he was captured by the raiders and he was sold as a slave to Magatto of the Edible –Rat Clan the uncle of the Chancellor Mukasa at that time. So St Matia Mulumba became a member of that clan. He had a unique passion to the religion. He first became a Muslim then an Anglican, but later when he interacted with the Catholic missionaries he joined the Catholic Church. On his way to Namugongo for execution St. Mulumba stopped at Old Kampala and asked to be put to death there. His executioner butchered him on the spot cutting of his limbs and tearing strips of flesh from his body, burning them before his eyes. PATRON of Families, Chiefs, Fishermen, Artists and Mechanics

14- ST.PONSIANO NGONDWE:

He was born at Bulamu in Kyaggwe County. His father was Birenge of a White Egret (Nyonyi) clan and he was the head of   that clan. His mother was called Mukomulwanyi of the Buffalo (Mbogo) clan. His father presented him to King Mutesa 1 and worked as a page, later he was moved to Militia. He was baptized by Cyprian Kamya when he joined the Catholic religion. At the beginning of the year 1886, St Ponsiano was falsely accused to steal a cow from the Chief Executioner herd and he was put into Kimbale prison without trail. They were moved from the prison on 26May, 1886 in the evening and they were being taken to Namugongo. The chief executioner met them asked them among them who was a Christian. St Ponsiano Ngondwe confessed of being a Christian. Mukanjaga the chief executioner himself drove his spear straight into his heart. He did not die the first stab then he set another stab that ended his life. He died at the age between thirty five-forty years. PARTON of Illegal Marriage, Police, Defense Forces and Prison.

15-ST. ANATOLI KIRIGGWAJJO:

He was a Munyoro from Kyaka in Toro. He was working for Kisomose the Chancellor of King Mutesa 1 who was demoted due the misunderstand with the Queen mother. To regain his royal favor he sold St. Anatoli to the King he became friendly with the young Prince Mwanga when his father died he entrusted St. Anatoli with a special and big responsibility for caring for the Kings wives in their different various needs. These women were fond of using tactful sexual ensnare to win men and indulge them into sexual encounter which St. Anatoli refused it put him in danger to meet his death. Later the King without any cause sent for Kiriggwajjo whom he committed to prison. In the prison he was joined by his fellow Christianson their last journey to Namugongo where they were burnt to death on 3^rd June 1886.     PARTON of Teachers, Catechists, Business Men and Women and Hunters

16- ST AMBROSE KIBUUKA:

He was born in Ssingo County, at Butuzzaliiso (Bunyiga). His father was Kisuule of Scaly Ant-eater (Lugave) clan who was the official drumbeater to the Kabaka. His mother was Ampera. After the martyrdom of Joseph Mukasa other Christians thought any time they might face persecution, so Ambrose and other Christians in the night of 16^th November, 1885 were baptized by Pere Lourdel. On the 26^th May, 1886 St Ambrose was one of the 13 martyrs condemned to death and they were burnt alive on the 3^rd June, 1886 at Namugongo. St Ambrose met h s death at the age of 18 years. PATRON of Journalists, Scouts, Girl Guides, Y.C.S and Universities

17-ST.JAMES BUUZABALYAWO:

He was born at Tabazimu in Mawokota County between 1856 and 1861. His father was Sebikejje of Columbus –Monkey (Ngeye) clan and he was the royal bark-cloth maker. His eldest sister Tagusenda was a wife to King Mutesa 1 and had a child with him Princess Namukabya so he was brought up in the same household with his niece. From there he joined the Kabaka services. St James was one of St Kaggwa’s converts he taught him to play the big the drum and also Catechism. He was baptized after St Kaggwa’s death on the 15^th November, 1885. Mukaajaga the chief executioner gave each of them a small gourdful of plantain-wine (Mwenge), it being the custom of the Buganda to give plantain wine to everyone who is about to be put to death. St James Buuzabalyawo refused to take it. In the following few minutes he was tied with his fellow martyrs in reeds and put on the pyre which was lit from the bottom and the Christians were burnt to ashes. PARTON of Teachers, Catechists, Business Men and Women and Hunters.

18- ST. MUGAGGA LUBOWA:

He was a Muganda by tribe. He was born at Jjalambwa in Mawokota County about the year of 1870 He belonged to Ngo (Leopard) clan. His father was Mazinga who later became Protestant and took the name Isaiah. His mother was Nassubwa. St Mugagga was presented to the King Mwanga by his chief Seddu Kakinda who was a great friend to Mugagga’s father. He was a page in the inner private courts of King Mwanga 11 and he was baptized on 26^th May, 1886 by St. Charles Lwanga. He was burnt alive in the Namugongo furnace on the Ascension Day. Thursday 3^rd June, 1886 at the age between 16 and 17. PARTON of Clubs, Tailors and Community Development.

19-ST.ADOLPHUS LUDIGO-MUKASA:

He was one of the Banyoro Martyrs. Like his compatriot St Andrew Kaggwa he was carried off by Buganda raiders when he was still a young man. St.Adolphus Ludigo Mukasa started to follow instructions in the Catholic religion in about 1881. At that time when the Court was in Nabulalagala and the Catholic Mission was very near at Kasubi. When there were many people St. Adolphus Ludigo Mukasa was seen doing charity work by helping women to peel the food and cooking. . He was about twenty four years of age when he was burnt alive in the Namugongo furnace on the Ascension Day. Thursday 3^rd June, 1886. PARTON of Seminarians, Novices, Drivers and Farmers.

20- ST. DENIS SSEBUGWAWO:

He was a Muganda by tribe from Bulemeezi County. His father was Kajansi and mother, Nsonga (Musoga). Ssebuggwawo was from Edible or Cane Rat (Musu) clan – Thryonomys Swinderianus.He was a page of king Muteesa I and a page in personal attendance of Kabaka Mwanga II.Ssebuggwawo were baptized on 16th November 1885 by Pere Lourdel. He was tortured and speared by king Mwanga II before handing him over to executioner Mpinga Kaloke on the evening of Tuesday 25th May 1886. On Wednesday morning 26th May 1886, Mpinga ordered his two men; Matembe and Mulyowa to hack the boy of 16 years into pieces. Ssebuggwawo was first beheaded before he was hacked into pieces at Munyonyo. PARTON of Choirs and Musicians.

21- ST.GOZANGA GONZA:

He was a Musoga from Bulamoogi County. His parents are not known, though it is said in various writings that he belonged to Lion (Mpologoma) clan. He was a page of the private courts under Muteesa I and a page of the audience hall under Mwanga II.Gonza was baptized on 16th November 1885 by Pere Lourdel. On his way to Namugongo for execution with fellow Christians, Gonza who had bleeding legs due to chains stuck into his flesh collapsed at Lubaawo, about 4 miles to Namugongo. At this spot, because he could not move any more, Mukaajanga, the chief executioner speared him to death. It was on Thursday 27th May 1886. Gonza died at the age of about 24.He is the patron of the prisoners and afflicted. PARTON of Seminarians, Novices, Drivers and Farmers.

22-ST.MUKASA KIRIWAWANVU:

Was the only one of the twenty two Martyrs who died without the baptism of water? He was in prison for striking his fellow page St. Gyaviira Musoke. When Mukaajanga the chief executioner was leading condended Christians to their last places, he arrived at his encampment and formally announced to St Kiriwawanvu the sentence of death passed upon him.

The 2 Martyrs of Paimol, Gulu, 1918

These two martyrs, Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa, were young catechists from Paimol, Gulu at the beginning of the 20th century. Having just received Baptism and Confirmation, they realized that to be a Christian means to share one’s faith, even at the cost of life itself, should this become necessary. So they started at once to work as catechist, and carried on until they shed their blood.

People who opposed the new religion took advantage of socio-political unrest to stop the preaching of the Gospel in Paimol. The two catechists were hounded, threatened, ordered to give up their activities, and finally speared to death. It was the week end of 18th – 20th October 1918.

Daudi and Jildo were beatified by Pope John Paul II on 20th October 2002.