The first black martyrs of UGANDA in Africa, St. Charles Lwanga, chief of the royal pages, and his 21 companions, died in a fierce persecution of the church in 1886. They were canonized saints by Pope Paul VI in 1964. They are venerated as the protomartyrs of Uganda. The white fathers arrived in the country in 1879 and the evangelization had very good results under King Mtesa. When King Mwanga assumed power in 1885, he was determined to get rid of Christianity for the reason that he was a homosexual and christian boys refused to render such depraved services. The persecution lasted for three years. Charles Lwanga, the chief of the royal servants, and 21 of his young companions were among the victims of persecution. When they were asked if they intend to remain Christians, they answered in one voice: TILL DEATH!
The martyrs of Uganda all died calling on the name of Jesus. Again, the words of Tertullian came true - the blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christians. Within the year of their death, the number of Christians among the Baganda rose from two hundred to over five hundred and the catechuments from eight hundreds to three thousand.
Let us be truly Catholics or "universal" in out look and pray for Christ's church in every corner of the Globe.
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