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 Canonization of the Ugandan Martyrs Scott 404-409 (1965) The six stamps above were issued on March 16, 1965, to commemorate the canonization of the Ugandan Martyrs by Pope Paul VI. The Ugandan Martyrs, also known as Charles Lwanga and Companions (1885-1887), represents a group of twenty-two Africans who died for their faith at the hands of kabaka (ruler) Mwanga II of Buganda (the largest of the original provinces of Uganda). Mwanga was a despot, pedarest, and murderer. Charles Lwanga was in charge of royal pages and had baptised four of them. One of the pages was murdered for catechizing. At one point, all pages were assembled and the Christians were separated from the others. They were asked if they wished to remain Christians and they replied, “Unto death.” Some were beheaded and others burned alive. Mwanga also martyred several converts to the Anglican Church. Mwanga II fled to German East Africa (now Tanzania) in 1897, was captured, and exiled to the Seychelles where he died in 1903. While in exile he converted to Christianity through the Anglican Church. Pope Paul VI canonized the 22 Ugandans in 1964 as Protomartyrs of Black Africa. In addition, he visited the Shrine of Namugongo on 2 August 1969, which commemorates the martyrs. In his address he stated: “I have come to do honour to your Martyrs. Here is being raised a Sanctuary to the glory of the Lord in their memory; and I decided to come from Rome to bless the altar of this Sanctuary. My intention is to venerate also, by this act, all those other Christians who have given their lives for the Catholic Faith in Africa, here and everywhere.” Article Links: |
