Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Ugandan Christians
Inspiring Martyrs
This date is set aside as a public holiday in Uganda to commemorate the country’s thousands of martyrs.
Christianity arrived in Uganda (Buganda) in 1877 after British explorer and journalist Henry Stanley shared the Gospel with King Mutesa, who then appealed for missionaries to come to the country. However his successor King Mwanga did not share King Mutesa’s enthusiasm for Christianity. Rather he became increasingly angry that converts were putting their loyalty to Christ above the traditional loyalty to the monarch and eventually resolved to wipe out Christianity.
Martyrdoms began in 1885; the first to die, on 31 January, were Mark Kukumba, Yusuf Rugarama and Noah Seruwanga. On 3 June 1886 King Mwanga ordered the killing of 26 of his pages because they were Christians (see also November 15). But rather than crushing the new faith as the king intended, the example of these young boys – who walked to their deaths singing hymns and praying for their enemies – inspired many of the bystanders to find out more about Christianity. Within a few years the original handful of converts had multiplied and spread far beyond the court.
Thousands more Ugandan martyrs were made under the persecution of military dictator Idi Amin in the 1970s. But Christian resilience remained strong, and Uganda now has one of the largest percentages of believers of any African nation.
Daily, daily, sing the praises, of the city God hath made; in the beauteous fields of Eden, its foundation stones are laid: O, that I had wings of angels, here to spread and heav’nward fly: I would seek the gates of Sion, far beyond the starry sky!
Ugandan Martyrs Hymn