Various places where martyrs met their death

JEAN MARIE MUZEEYI KISENYI

The spot has a small tombstone with a shelter besides it and a spring well. According to the Uganda Tourism Board, this was the place where Jean Marie Muzeeyi, the last martyr, was killed. Muzeeyi used to be the most reliable servant of Kabaka Muteesa 1. In fact, the day Kabaka died in October 1884, he was by his side.

That’s why he is the patron of medical professionals. Following the Kabaka’s death, Muzeeyi was appointed caretaker of the Kasubi Tombs, a role he rejected. However, rejecting such an appointment was abominable in the kingdom. For two years, Muzeeyi hid from kingdom officials. In January 1887, he left his hiding place.

He was beheaded and his body thrown in Jugula swamp right at the spot (pictured above). People have set up buildings around this site and it could soon be no more.

MUSA MUKASA SPOT IN MULUNGU

Though the spot is almost invisible, this is believed to be the source of martyrdom. On May 25, 1886, Kabaka Mwanga II went on an unsuccessful hunting spree in Munyonyo. On his way back, he lost his rifle in the lake. The king sought advice from his diviner who prophesied that his Christian attendants were to blame for his misfortune and had to be killed. He then ordered the killing of Anglican convert Musa Mukasa, who refused to denounce his faith.

DENNIS SSEBUGWAWO'S SITE, MUNYONYO

This spot in Munyonyo, a Kampala suburb, is where Dennis Ssebugwawo was murdered and the church set up a monument at the site. Ssebugwawo, 16, was a page of Kabaka Muteesa just like Musa Mukasa. On May 26, 1886, when he returned to the palace in the evening, he was asked by Mwanga to denounce his faith but he refused. Mwanga had Ssebugwawo stripped and an executioner hacked him into pieces.

PONSIANO NGONDWE SITE

There is a small monument marking the spot but just adjacent to the site is a big church constructed in memory of Ponsiano Ngondwe. Ngondwe, who was baptised on November 17, 1885 by Pere Giraud, was a tax collector in-charge of collecting one cow from every herd in the kingdom and taking it to the Kabaka’s herd. It was alleged that the tax man had taken two cows from Mukajanga’s herd, the chief executor. This infuriated Mukajanga, leading to Ngondwe’s imprisonment.

Ngondwe was then led through a death march from Munyonyo to Namugongo all with others. When the martyrs-to-be reached this place, Mukajanga speared Ponsiano and other executioners chopped his body to pieces.

MARTYRS SHRINE, MUNYONYO

This is the spot where Andrew Kaggwa, the Kabaka’s chief musician, was killed. When the storm of persecution broke out on May 25, 1886, Kaggwa was not at the palace and missed the meeting where other Christians were sentenced.

But the following day, Mukasa, Mwanga’s chancellor, discovered that Kaggwa was still at large. Kaggwa was summoned to Munyonyo palace where he confessed his Christianity.

Eight executioners led him to a thicket near theKatikkiro’s home, cut off his arms, his head and chopped his body into pieces. Kaggwa’s tomb is well constructed at this site and people go there to pray.

MATIA MULUMBA CATHOLIC PARISH

A big church was constructed at Old Kampala hill to remember Matia Mulumba Kalemba. According to the Uganda Martyrs website, Mulumba was the oldest of all the martyrs because at the time of his death, he was about 50 years old. His limbs were cut off and strips of flesh were cut from his back and he was left to die.

MARTYRS CHURCH BUSEGA

A church is constructed right in front of the swamp where bodies of the martyrs were thrown and a monument still marks the spot. Following Kabaka Muteesa 1’s death, Kabaka Mwanga II became hostile to Christianity.

This forced Alexander Mackay, a missionary, to make a cave under a tree in Nateete where he taught Christianity. Consequently, three servants of Kabaka Mwanga, Mark Kakumba, Noah Sserwanga and Yusuf Lugalama, started escaping from the palace at Mengo to listen to Mackay’s sermons.

The boys were soon arrested, tied up and then led to the swamp. Their arms were cut off and tied between bundles of firewood and burnt to death. Their charred bodies were thrown in a swamp in Busega.

BALIKUDDEMBE'S SITE OWINO

T his site was recently affected by the Nakivubo Parkyard fire. Balikuddembe, according to the Uganda Martrys website, was the head of Catholic Church during the absence of Catholic Missionaries and a leader of all Christians.

He was a Muganda by tribe from Mawookota County belonging to Kayozi clan (Kangaro rat). Balikuddembe was the first martyr to be killed. He was beheaded and thrown onto a heap of burning firewood and burnt at Nakivubo now St Balikuddembe Market (formerly known as Owino Market). Balikuddembe is the patron of politicians and chiefs.

GONZAGA GONZA, NAALYA
There is a small monument marking the site just besides the road. Gonzaga Gonza was a Musoga. He was part of the death march from Munyonyo on May 26, 1886 to Mengo where he spent a night in chains, with some chains digging so deep into his flesh that they couldn’t remove them in the morning, making it much harder for him to walk to Namugongo about 16km from Rubaga. This is why he is the patron of the prisoners and the afflicted. Before long, blood started to flow from his wounds, attracting flies. He collapsed at Naalya and was speared to death. A few days later, the site only had hair, meaning wild animals must have eaten his body