Passion of Uganda Martyrs and NRM’s haughty heroism

What you need to know:

  • Morals and values. The story of the Ugandan Martyrs has been interpreted by different people to represent different socio-political morals and values. They created political space outside the confined political arena.
  • As is always the case in such circumstances, the courage and fortitude of the early Christians led to a surge in the spread of Christianity in Uganda. The church was later to become so powerful that it was treated as an equal partner with the political leadership.

Once again, on June 3, Ugandans will be united in their annual celebration of the Uganda Martyrs. In their celebration, I would like to urge them to also reflect on the circumstances that gave birth to this martyrdom.

In 1886, a group of young Ugandans triumphed over the power of the State (vested in the hands of King of Buganda) by accepting martyrdom. It was a courageous act because even today, more than one hundred years later, one would have to have a very high sense of self-conviction to challenge the State. The young men who challenged the State, had careers in the administrative structures of State; and needless to say, they were destined for bigger things if only they remained loyal to the crown.

We hold them in awe and reverence; knowing that in their death, they earned the favour of national history and the universal Church. We are still confounded by their exhibition of courage that earned them the benefaction of charity that comes with the Christian Doctrine of ‘bearing witness’ (obujulizi).

We can learn a lot from the Uganda Martyrs, whose story is more enriching and broader than the religious constituency. The ideas and ideals for which they were killed, i.e more liberties and freedoms, were later to form the basis for the contemporary political values Ugandans espouse today.
Their sainthood was not declared by a partisan panel of Ugandans, but by universal faculties of the Roman Catholic Church. And for the blood of the Ugandan Saints, the church made the ultimate sacrifice that has confounded social and political leaders since Independence.

The story of the Uganda Martyrs is also a significant reminder of the human reverence and the sacrifice of blood. There is a conspicuous thread of blood from the story of Abraham and Isaac (Ismail?) to the ultimate end at Gologotha. Which is why we should remember other Ugandan martyrs, who bore witness with their own blood.

On September 22, 1972, State actors abducted and killed Chief Justice Ben Kiwanuka over what were believed to be disagreements on the direction and process of justice (actually on a particular case) in the country.
The death of Kiwanuka (whose name now graces a parish in Rubaga Division and a road in the business centre of Kampala Capital City), has always inspired the Judiciary in Uganda. Kiwanuka’s martyrdom set the bar very high for both the political leadership and the Judiciary.

For what can the political or military leadership do to the Judiciary that is more outrageous than the killing of a Chief Justice? Conversely, what can the leadership of the Judiciary do that is more courageous than Kiwanuka’s courage and fortitude that earned him martyrdom? Add to that the martyrdom of Anglican Archbishop Janani Luwum.

As is always the case in such circumstances, the courage and fortitude of the early Christians led to a surge in the spread of Christianity in Uganda. The church was later to become so powerful that it was treated as an equal partner with the political leadership.
The story of the Ugandan Martyrs has been interpreted by different people to represent different socio-political morals and values. They created political space outside the confined political arena. But it is not difficult to relate it with the fight for freedoms and liberties in other circumstances.

Less than a week after Uganda Martyrs Day (actually on June 9), Ugandans will (again) celebrate NRM heroes and martyrs. People, good Ugandans, who bore witness (either by eye or blood) for a cause they believed in.
Most Ugandans appreciate the value of the Uganda Martyrs. So, the question is: What value has the NRM revolution bequeathed to Ugandans?

Mr Bisiika is the executive editor of East African Flagpost.
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