Why do we celebrate Martyrs Day?
Whereas many people went to Namugongo to celebrate the life of the Uganda Martyrs, I celebrated it at St James Cathedral Ruharo and the preacher, the Rev Edson Abaaasa, nearly took us to Namugongo by explaining the history and importance of this day. In 1875, the King of Buganda, Kabaka Muteesa I, wrote an invitation letter for missionaries from Britain, which led to the arrival of Alexander Mackay of the Anglican Church Missionary Society in Buganda in 1877.
A group of French Catholic White Fathers led by Père Simon Lourdel (Fr Mapeera) came two years later. These joined a group of Arab traders from Zanzibar who had introduced Islam earlier in the kingdom. This led to the struggle for political influence by the three religious groups. By mid 1880s, many people had been converted by each of the three groups, with some of the converts holding important posts at the king’s court. Kabaka Muteesa I passed on in 1884 and was succeeded by Kabaka Mwanga II.
Christianity had taken root in the kingdom although converting demanded for denouncing some traditional beliefs and practices. The traditional gods didn’t make sense anymore. In their teachings, they taught that God was the King of kings. This meant that Christians paid their allegiances to the King of kings instead of the Kabaka Mwanga II, which annoyed him. According to http://www.buganda.com/martyrs.htm, the king’s subjects, who had converted to Christianity, rejected homosexuality practices. This made the Kabaka more furious and he decided to get rid of such religions by ordering for their killing.
In October of 1885, Anglican Bishop James Hannington was murdered in Busoga while on his way to Buganda on the orders of Mwanga. Hannington’s crime was to attempt to come to Buganda through Busoga, which was considered a backdoor of Buganda and anyone who came through it, was believed to have evil intentions against the kingdom.
Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe, a senior advisor to the king and a Catholic convert, who condemned Mwanga for ordering Hannington’s death without giving him (Hannington) a chance to defend himself, was arrested and also killed.
On June 3, 1886, massive killings took place when Kabaka Mwanga asked the converts to reject their new faith or be killed. With courage and vigour the young men between ages of 15 and 33, chose to be killed in order to go to heaven.
I am not sure of how many would take this bold step but to these young men, even death couldn’t separate them from the love of God (Romans 8:35). It is, therefore, important to celebrate this day to remember their lives and to draw examples from them.
Starin Musiimenta,
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