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THE MARTYRS OF UGANDA (June
3rd): On June 3, 1886, thirty-two young men were burned to death for their
refusal to renounce Christianity. In the flowing months, thousands of other
Christians throughout Uganda died by fire or spear for their faith. All of these
victims are commemorated collectively as The Martyrs of Uganda. Christianity had
been introduced to Uganda in 1877/78 by a handful of Anglican and Roman Catholic
missionaries. However, by order of King Mutesa, the faith could be preached only
to the immediate members of the Court. Mutesa’s successor, King Mwanga, became
increasingly angry as he realized that converts put loyalty to Christ above
loyalty to the king. He first forbade anyone to go near a Christian mission on
penalty of death, but being unable to control the ardor of the converts, he
resolved to wipe out Christianity.
The martyrdoms of 1886
produced a result entirely opposite to King Mwanga’s intentions. The example of
these martyrs, who walked to their death singing hymns and praying for their
enemies, so inspired many of the bystanders that they began to seek instruction
from the remaining Christians. The Martyrs had left the indelible impression
that Christianity could be truly African and not just the white man’s religion.
Most of the missionary work that followed was done by Africans (not white
missionaries) and the faith spread steadily. Today, Uganda has the larges
population of Christians of any nation in Africa. |
