Initially a member of Bunyoro Kingdom in Western Uganda, sworn enemies with Buganda Kingdom, handsome and well-built Andrew Kaggwa had been captured as a slave to Buganda when they raided Bugangaizi. To his salvation, Andrew’s character made him one the King’s favourite pages. It is said that Andrew was cheerful and very kindhearted. Such attributes lured H.M. Stanely to rub shoulders with the cheerful Kaggwa when he visited the Pearl of Africa. Noticing Andrew’s love for music, Stanely brought Andrew European drums which Kabaka Muteesa would later fancy. As such, Stanely sent Andrew to his factotum, Toli who was visiting from France to teach Andrew Kaggwa how to use such drums. It is said that through Andrew’s visitations, Toli introduced Andrew to Catholicism because even being a Muslim from Madagascar; he worked for Catholics as a carpenter here in Uganda.

In the year 1880, Andrew joined Catholicism and started attending Bible classes under Alexander Mackay. He was later baptized on April 30^th 1882 whereupon he would start instructing catechism, baptizing others, and burying the many that had succumbed to the terrifying bubonic plague as at that time, the missionaries had left.

Like many others, upon Kabaka Muteesa I’s death, having been his master drummer in charge of fifteen other drummers, and his bandmaster in charge of all court musicians including buglers and cymbals-players, Andrew had been retained by King Mwanga, whom he doubled to as a personal friend. Kabaka Mwanga hereupon gave Andrew authority over all militia from which the bandsmen were drawn.

Sentenced to death at the King’s palace in Munyonyo, Andrew’s execution did not come as early and as easily as the rest of the martyrs. Having loved him dearly, Kabaka Mwanga II had delayed Andrew’s death, hoping that he would denounce Christianity and be saved. On the other hand, the chancellor demanded for Andrew’s execution, ordering: take this man away and put him to death. Bring me his arm to prove that you have done your work. I won’t touch food until I have seen it.” The executioners however delayed Andrew’s death hoping that the King would intervene to save Andrew’s life.

Would it take you by surprise that Andrew Kaggwa demanded for his own death? Determined not to compromise with his faith, Andrew demanded for his own death, “My God” being his last cry, upon which he was beheaded and his body cut into pieces on May 26, 1886. There, at Munyonyo where his body was cut is where his remains were buried. Andrew Kaggwa was later beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920, and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

Born in Mbale, Mawokota, Katende Parish, in present day eastern Uganda. Mukasa was the son of Lumanyika Kirwamukyaayi and Malokuvaawo, a mother from Busoga. His father was a very good wrestler. Mukasa was said to be a very handsome man, a giant with exceptional strength. He joined the palace under the reign of Kabaka Muteesa I and was soon a favorite of the king, being put in charge of serving food to visitors and the other pages as well. He is the only martyr to have received blood baptism. He had already become a catholic and was under the guidance of Charles Lwanga, although at the time Lwanga baptized the pages on 26^th May, Mukasa was in prison for hitting a fellow page, Gyaviira. During the one week stay in prison, with the condemned pages, he kept praying and singing hymns. When Mukajanga, the chief executioner asked him if he was a Christian, he boldly accepted and was burnt alive with the rest of the martyrs on 3^rd June 1886. Mukasa is the patron saint of hotels, bars and restaurants.

He is the youngest Catholic martyr, having been burnt at the age of 14.  He was born in Waluleeta, Bulemeezi in Nandere parish around 1872. His father was the Lukomera of the king’s palace in 1884. Upon becoming a page, he served in the king’s courts. His witty nature and dedication to his given tasks made him one of the king’s favorite. He was also good in sports, especially wrestling and swimming. He played the xylophone really well too. Charles Lwanga had to protect him several times from the king’s sexual demands and this was one of the reasons why he was marked for death. He got baptized on 26^th May and was named John Baptist. Kizito is one of the most famous martyrs and is the patron of children, especially those below the age of 15.

His exact date of birth is not clear but he seems to have been born around 1869 in Jjalamba, Mawokota, Mitala Maria parish, to Mazinga of the Ngo (Leopard) clan. His clan name is Lubowa but his mother had named him Mugagga so that in future he would accumulate wealth and be rich like his name suggested. Lubowa was taken to the palace by his uncle, Sseddu, who at the time was the chief bark cloth maker in the palace.

He was assigned the private section of the palace and placed under Charles Lwanga.   He was extremely good at games and handicraft.  He got baptized on 26^th May and is the patron of clubs, community development, culture and home crafts. He died at 17 at Namugongo on 3^rd June, 1886.

James Buzabalyawo was the son of Sekibijje, a royal bark cloth maker of the Colbus-monkey (Ngeye) clan from Tabizimu, Mawokota County. Third of eight children, James joined the palace first as a page and later as a bandsman and guard. Under Andrew Kaggwa’s mentorship, James Buzabalyawo converted to Christianity. Andrew Kaggwa would later teach him how to play the big drum at the palace and instruct him in the Catholic religion still. Buzabalyawo was one of the people that Andrew Kaggwa baptized the day Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe was martyred. With such charisma given, Buzabalyawo would go ahead to try and convert Kabaka (King) Mwanga II (still prince then) to Catholicism. James met his death unexpectedly. On the fateful day that Mwanga hunted to kill Andrew Kaggwa, he landed on Buzabalyawo instead, and it was no use that he inquired whether he was a Christian or not. Shocked Buzabalyawo knelt before the king, seeking for mercy upon which the King pushed him away with his left foot, ordered his arrest whereupon he was stripped of clothes, and taken to prison. “This is the fellow that actually tried to make a Christian out of me. Take him away and kill him at once. I want to commence with him.” “James passed close to me. His hands were tied and he had a rope around his neck. I lifted my hand to give him a last absolution and he answered by lifting his, bound as they were, to Heaven. He smiled and seemed to say to me; Mapeera, why be so sad?”

Born in Kinyiira, Bujuni parish in 1860, to Siita, Anatoli was called Karubagira and he grew up in chief Rugwela’s enclosure at Nyakabango in Bunyoro Kingdom. During the 1876 raid of Bunyoro by Buganda, he was captured and brought to Buganda whereupon Kisomose took him as a slave. Seeing the giftedness and the many talents Anatoli possessed, Kisomose, a former chancellor of King Muteesa I took him to the palace to serve the King. Sources indicate that Kisomose could have taken him to the palace to mend his broken relationship with King Muteesa I, which had been caused by his rejection of her amorous advances. At the palace, Anatoli displayed good virtues and was put under the mentorship of Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe. He got baptized on 16^th November 1885 after becoming a Christian. Having been an excellent hunter and herdsman, Anatoli easily won the favor of young King Mwanga II while many of his friends at the palace got laid off upon Kabaka Muteesa I’s death. The king promoted him to work in the chambers of the princesses, catering for them and all their bodily needs. Anatoli, knowing that this would make him compromise on his virtues, even with the knowledge that the rejection of such a position would get him killed, he went to the king and declined the post. The king was angry but did not kill him just yet. However, when the other pages were being arrested, the king demanded his arrest, claiming that he was a Munyoro who had dared to defy him and decline a post he had been given. Anatoli was burnt alive on 3^rd June, 1886 and he is the patron of hunters.

He was the 5^th catholic martyr in Uganda, and he was known for being trustworthy, clean, orderly, faithful and obedient. Kiiza was born at Mukuma Bulemeezi in Mulajje parish around 1866. At the palace he was put in charge of the king’s ceremonial robes and ornaments and also the treasury and ivory. When he became a Christian he was so devoted, becoming an ardent catechumen and getting baptized on 17^th November.

During the walk to Namugongo, they reached Nakivubo and one of the executioners asked which one of the pages wanted to die where their leader Balikuddembe had died, to which Kiiza stepped out and was speared to death. He died at 20 years. He is the patron of those in charge of finance, banks and the treasury.

Achileus Kiwanuka is also known as Achileo Kiwanuka, and as Achilles Kiwanuka

He was born in Ssingo County and served as a page of audience hall in the court of Kabaka (King) Mwanga II of Buganda before converting g to the Catholic faith under the “White fathers” missionary group. Achileus had been first the county chief’s server before he became a dependant of the Ssabakaaki who later presented him at court when Mwanga took over the throne. Achileus was born to Kyazze of the Scaly-eater (Lugave) Clan. He died at perhaps 16 0r 17 years of age on 3^rd June 1886 at Namugongo. He had been baptized on 16^th November by Pere Lourdel. He was beatified in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV, and canonized on 18^th October 1964 by Pope Paul VI.  His major shrine is Basilica Church of Uganda Martyrs Namugongo.

Ambrose Kibuuka was born in Katikamu, Mulundaggana, Ssingo County, Buganda Kingdom to Kisule Balamaze, former official drum beater to the Kabaka, and was the first boy child his parents had among over 30 daughters. Ambrose met Catholicism at the Kabaka’s palace where he had been taken as a page at 15 years of age. He was entrusted to Joseph Mukasa who later entrusted him to Charles Lwanga, both of whom introducing him to Catholicism. The socially talented in games, kind, cheerful and charitable Ambrose ardently refused his parents’ entreaties to abandon Catholicism. Ambrose was baptized by Pere Lourdel at Namugongo after Balikudddembe’s death, specific date being 16^th Nov 1886. At 18 years of age, Ambrose Kibuuka met death at Namugongo on 3^rd June 1886 when he was burnt.

Beatified in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV, Ambrose was canonized on October 18^th 1964 by Pope Paul VI.

His major shrine is Basilica church of Uganda Martyrs, Namugongo and he is the patron of societies including scouts, guides, young Christian workers, Xaverians and TCW.

Mbaaga Tuzinde’s martyrdom is an interesting matter of History, showcasing conflict between duty/loyalty and love/relationship. Mukajaanga, the King’s chief executioner was a ruthless man, no wonder he was appointed for his role. However, Mukajaanga had a relationship, not by blood, but by rite and law with Mbaaga Tuzinde of the Lungfish (Mamba) clan. Among the Baganda of Central Uganda, relationship is, and was even then according to clans and totems. It was always less likely that people from different clans would be related, unless it was through marriage. The other exception to this was “blood pacts.” These, among the Baganda served as good as birth itself. Once you entered a blood pact with anyone, you would have become blood relatives with such a person. This is exactly what happened to Mukajaanga and Tuzinde. Growing up, the two learnt that their grandfathers had sworn a blood pact, which made them brothers as according to customary law in Buganda. Making Mukajaanga’s place even more complex, upon his father’s death, he had appointed young Mbaaga Tuzinde as his heir, which now according to customary law made the latter the former’s father. Mukajaanga pleaded with Andrew to denounce Christianity for the fear, love and respect he had for him as a father, but Andrew would not listen. This conflict was very tough for Mukajaanga that once Mbaaga Tuzinde was in the fire, the former pulled him out, pleading with him to renounce ‘the European religion’ and in return, the executioner would plead with the king for Andrew’s salvation, but the latter refused because according to him, praying was not a crime. Taken by concern for his ‘father’ Mukajaanga requested his assistants to nape Tuzinde’s head off and throw his body parts onto the fire on June 3, 1886. Mbaaga Tuzinde was the son of Katamiza Waggumbulizi of the Lungfish clan, and Mmumanvi Bukuwa of the Yumfruit (Kkobe) clan. He was born in Bunyonga, Busiro county, Buganda Kingdom.

A potter, excellent at articles such as water-pots, jugs, mugs, cooking-pots, bowls, pipes, among others, tall and slender Noah Mawaggali was born to Kyazze, a well-known deputy county chief of the bush-buck (Ngabi) clan in Ssingo county, Buganda Kingdom, and Talida Nassaza, the daughter of Mukwenda Ddumba.  Due to his efficiency at serving his worship, Kabaka Muteesa 1, Noah would become popular in no time. Having become a page at the palace at the age of 15, Noah became even more famous for his kindness, courage and his trustworthiness.  He was also a very obedient young lad. From Charles Lwanga from whom he had placed under, Noah learnt about the Catholic religion and converted to the religion. Due to the impact Charles Lwanga’s teachings had on him, he dared to burn the amulets he had long won for protection. He was extremely interested in learning, working hard to learn how to read and write. Sometimes he served as a messenger too and he had a good voice which made him an amazing singer too. Until the Feast of All Saints in 1885, Noah had not been baptized. He was burnt on 3^rd June, 1886 alongside the other pages who were marked a week earlier and kept in prison, Noah is the patron of journalists, press, writers, printers and artists.

John Muzeeyi was a Muganda born between 1852-1857 in Kisomberwa, Minziiro to Bunyanga of Mbogo Clan and Kabejja Mukaatunzi Namalawo of the Nkima clan. To his mother, John was the only child, although he had over one hundred siblings from his father’s side, his father being a polygamist. He was at first a Muslim, his Islamic name being Jamari., He then became a Protestants before settling with the Catholics. He was baptized on 1^st November 1885 by Pere Mapeera. Muzeeyi was extremely intelligent, learning all the prayers and catechism in only three days when it would have taken an average learner at least four months. He was also devoted to traditional healing and had great knowledge about local herbs and roots, treating and curing many sick people during the small pox plague. He was the last martyr on record to be killed, on 27^th February 1887. He died at Mengo, after being beheaded. He is the patron saint of religious doctors, nurses, hospitals and learners.

This martyr was born in Sseguku, Busiro around 1869 and 1870 to Ssemalago, a traditional priest of Mayanja the god, and he belonged to the Mmamba clan of the Buganda kingdom. His father gave him the Mayanja Musoke name, hoping that one day he too would become a priest of the god. At the palace, his friends called him Gyaviira and the name stuck. He joined the palace as a page in 1884 when Kabaka (King) Mwanga II had just ascended on the throne. It is from the palace that he met Charles Lwanga and became a Christian, burning all his traditional amulets and turning his back on his past. He was among those baptized by Charles Lwanga on 26^th may 1886, the night before the king condemned them from Munyonyo and he was burnt on 3^rd June at the age of 17. He is the patron of traffic, communication and those troubled by witchcraft.

Luuka was born in Butambala, Mitala Maria parish, around 1852, to Mukwanga of the Mmamba clan and Kusuubiza of the Nvuma clan. He was known to be prudent, friendly, calm and trustworthy. He was also a skilled bark cloth maker and he doubled as a blacksmith. The king had put him in charge of the fishermen on Lake Wamala and the wood cutters there too.  When he became a Christian, he would walk on foot for forty miles, from Mityana to Kampala every Sunday, memorise the sermon of the priest, walk back and narrate the sermon to Matiya Mulumba, who would in turn tell the congregation in Mityana. Luuka was baptized on 28^th May, 1882 and he was thirty years old at the time of his death on 3^rd June 1886. He is the saint patron of students, fishermen and blacksmiths.

He was the 2^nd catholic martyr and he was born at Kigolooba, Kijjaguzo parish around 1869. His father was called Kajjansi Ssubugwawo of the Musu clan and his mother was called Maria Nsonga Nabalongo from Busoga, in eastern Uganda. Denis was known to be a calm and gentle soul, relaxed and always quiet. However, he could also be jolly sometimes and he sung really well. He joined the palace at the age of 14 as a page, and got converted to Christianity. He was so faithful and devoted to his religion after getting baptized on 17^th November. He got on the wrong side of the king when the latter found him teaching Mwafu, one of the king’s still submissive page, about Christianity. He was severely scourged by the king himself and later beheaded on May 26, 1886. He is the patron of all musicians.

He belonged to the Nnonyi Nnyange clan of the Buganda, after being born in Bulimo Kyaggwe, Naggalama parish to Birenge Mbaziira and Mukomulwanyi of the Mbogo clan. Records are not sure of his exact date of birth but it is believed to have been around 1846 to 1851. He became a page at the age of ten and served as a policeman before becoming a soldier at the palace. Before he became a Christian, he was exceptionally cruel and merciless, full of anger and always vulgar. However, after his baptism on 16^th November 1885, he struggled and became a gentler and calm person. He was already in prison after being accused of stealing the King’s cattle. He was pierced 3 times on the chest by the chief executioner and left for the birds and other animals to eat. Ponsiano is the patron of soldiers, policemen and the militia.

Bruno was born in Masaka to Kizza Kibuuka Majalya around 1856. His brother, Mbugano, took him to the palace as a page and he was put under Balikuddembe who introduced him to Christianity.  On 16^th November he was baptized by Pere Giraurd. Initially he was a drunkard with a hot temper, his morals were also loose and he was cruel and vulgar too. After changing his ways, the King gave him two girls whom he took home as his wives, although he later repented when his fellow Catholics told him the act of polygamy was a sin. During the walk to Namugongo, his brother, Bbosa, gave him beer because he was very thirsty, he refused and walked on. Bruno is the patron those tempted to excessive drinking, lust and those not properly married in church.

Kalemba was born in Kyebando, Bunya in Busoga in 1836 to Nandigobe. He was later kidnapped and brought to Buganda whereupon a man named Tomusange adopted him as his own son. Matiya was known to be tall, with a deep voice and a kind and humble soul. Tomusaange had foretold that some men would come with a religion and that Matiya should follow them. This is why he was at first with the Muslims, then he joined the Protestants before settling in with the Catholics. Initially he had many wives but he fought to stay with only one as his legal wife and partner.  He was always sharing the gospel with others and he took Catholicism to Ssingo, Mityana and Buddo. He got baptized on 27^th May 1886 and died the most brutal death of all. The executioners cut off his limbs, peeled some flesh from his back and left him like that for three days, while he kept praying for the executioners and his country. He died on May 27, 1886 at about 50 years of age.

He was from Bunyoro. Born at Misazi, Myeri, Kyenjojo, Butiti parish. Adolphus, son of Bamwesekesa and Kyote was kidnapped with him by the Baganda raiders. He was given the name Mukasa from Buganda and later nicknamed Ludigo for his resemblance to the Mutaka Ludigo from Busoga. He was put in charge of the king’s gardens from where the other pages worked. A tall, slender, dark-skinned young man, Adolphus was calm, intelligent and thoughtful. He was about 24 years old when he died.  Once he claimed to be a descendant of the princes of Bunyoro. He started following the Catholic faith in 1881 when the court was at Nabulagala and that was close to the Catholic mission at Kasubi. He was friends with Andrew Kaggwa with whom they would attend mission when they had finished doing their palace duties. Baptized on 16^th November 1885 by Pere Mapeera, Adolphus often ignored customs and joined women in cooking. So proud of his religion, he wore his best attire on his condemnation day. This was removed from the Ssezibo tree as custom demanded before he was burnt on 3^rd June 1886, and his ashes scattered into wind. Adolphus was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920, canonized by Pope Paul Vi on 18^th Oct 1960, and venerated by Pope Benedict XV ON 29^TH Feb 1920. He is the patron of herdsmen and farmers.

Gonzaga Gonza was a Musoga who had been seized and captured as a slave in one of the raids Buganda made on Busoga. Gonza had first been in the service of Tegusaaga who started out as a palace firewood-cutter and rose to the rank of corporal of the guard. Tegusaaga introduced Gonza to Kabaka Muteesa I who employed him in the private section of the royal enclosure.  Gonza too was recalled back into service by Kabaka (King) Mwanga. Upon this, he was posted at the court of the great audience hall where he served under Charlese Lwanga. Gonza wasn’t baptized until the martyrdom of Joseph Mukasa when he received the sacrament from Pere Lourdel with the name Gonzaga. Gonza, lover of children was beheaded and martyred at the age of 24 years on May 27, 1886.