Today ( 3 June) the Church remembers the Martyrs of Uganda, 1885-7 and 1977

In 1884 Mwanga became ruler (kabaka) of Buganda in Uganda. When three of his subjects, obeying a missionary’s instruction, unwittingly disobeyed his orders, he had them executed: Yusufu Lugalama, Mako Kakumba and Nuwa Serwanga went to their deaths on 31 January 1885.

In November, Joseph Mkasa Balikuddembe, a Roman Catholic courtier, was executed for protesting at the murder of Bishop James Hannington.

The persecution reached its height in 1886, when some courtiers and palace officials refused Mwanga’s sexual advances. Mwanga was enraged that the Christians acknowledged a higher authority than the kabaka and ordered their execution. Forty-six whose names are known, Roman Catholic and Anglican, were martyred; most, led by Charles Lwanga, were burnt alive on Ascension Day, 3 June 1886.

The last martyrdom was that of Jean-Marie Muzeyi in the following January. The description of the deaths of these Ugandans reads like a martyrdom narrative from the early Christian centuries.

The Churches in Uganda came under extreme pressure during the presidency of Amin and the second presidency of Obote in the 1970s and 1980s. Among those who lost their lives at this time was Archbishop Janani Luwum. Christians in Uganda unite on this day to remember those who witnessed in their country for Christ, even unto death.