Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe
Saint Joseph Mukasa | |
|---|---|
 Joseph Mukasa and his companions | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | 1860 Buganda, Uganda |
| Died | November 15, 1885 Nakivubo, Uganda |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1920 by Pope Benedict XV |
| Canonized | October 18, 1964 by Pope Paul VI |
| Major shrine | Basilica Church of the Uganda Martyrs, Namugongo |
| Feast | June 3 |
| Patronage | Chiefs, politicians |
Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe (1860-November 15, 1885) was a Ugandan Roman Catholic and the majordomo [1] at the court of Mwanga II of Buganda, recognized as a martyr and saint by the Catholic Church. Early in his reign, the new king Mwanga began to crack down on Christian missionaries and converts in his country, and executed the British Anglican bishop James Hannington and his companions on October 29, 1885, ignoring Mukasa's pleas to spare the bishop. After a night-long interview Mwanga condemned him to death. Mukasa was taken to a place near the Nakivubo river where he was knifed and his body burned. [2] His duties were assumed by the young catechist Charles Lwanga. Mukasa is remembered as first of the Martyrs of Uganda.