Uganda Martyrs

For the university often referred to as Uganda Martyrs, see Uganda Martyrs University.

The Uganda Martyrs were Ugandan Christians who were murdered for their faith.

1 Charles Lwanga and Companions
2 The 2 Martyrs of Paimol
3 References
4 External links

Charles Lwanga and Companions

Saint Charles (Carl) Lwanga and his companions, Martyrs of Uganda, were a group of Ugandan Christians (Roman Catholics and Anglicans) who were murdered by Mwanga II, the Kabaka (King) of Buganda, between 1885 and 1887.

Charles Lwanga and his companions
Died 1885–1887, Uganda Martyred by Mwanga II Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Anglican Communion Beatified1920 by Pope Benedict XV Canonized October 18, 1964by Pope Paul VIMajor shrineBasilica Church of the Uganda Martyrs, Namugongo Feast June 3Notable martyrs Charles Lwanga Saints Portal

Anglican James Hannington, the Protomartyr, had been dispatched to be the bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, but he was executed with his companions before they could enter Buganda.

When commemorating the martyrs of Uganda, the Church of England includes Archbishop Janani Luwum, who was murdered in 1977 by Idi Amin's henchmen; they also commemorate Luwum separately on February 17. Although the Anglicans were not canonized in the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope did mention them.[1] Twenty-two of the martyrs were Roman Catholics and were canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964. Their feast day is June 3. They were:[2]

Achileo Kiwanuka
Adolphus Ludigo-Mkasa
Ambrosio Kibuuka
Anatoli Kiriggwajjo
Anderea Kaggwa
Antanansio Bazzekuketta
Bruno Sserunkuuma
Charles Lwanga
Denis Ssebuggwawo
Gonzaga Gonza
Gyavire
James Buzabaliao
John Maria Muzeyi
Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe
Kizito
Lukka Baanabakintu
Matiya Mulumba
Mbaga Tuzinde
Mugagga
Mukasa Kiriwawanvu
Nowa Mawaggali
Ponsiano Ngondwe

The Ugandan Martyrs were featured in the film Millions.

The 2 Martyrs of Paimol

Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa Died 1918, Paimol, Uganda Means of martyrdom pierced with spears Venerated in Roman Catholic Church Beatified October 20, 2002by Pope John Paul II Feast October 18 Saints Portal

The martyrs, Blessed Daudi Okelo and Blessed Jildo Irwa, were two young catechists from Uganda. They belonged to the Acholi tribe, a subdivision of the large Luo group. They lived and were martyred in the years immediately following the foundation of the mission of Kitgum by the Comboni Missionaries in 1915.[3]

References

^ From the homily at the canonization of the martyrs of Uganda by Pope Paul VI: "Et mentione digni sunt alii etiam, qui, anglicana instituta religiosa profitentes, pro Christi nomine morte affecti sunt." ("And the others are worthy of mention also, who, professing the Anglican religious customs, were afflicted with death for the name of Christ.") Vatican Archive
^ Martyrs of Uganda from Patron Saints Index
^ Biography from the Holy See website