The month of March is seared in my memory as the Women’s month worldwide. It triggers specific memories about the struggles that Ugandan women have gone through and continue to endure to be recognised and rewarded as full members of a patriarchal society. Surely , we have come a long way since 1984- the time we celebrated the International Women ‘s day for the first time in Uganda.
This year’s celebrations were held at Butemba College in Kyankwazi District, South Buganda. My nonagenarian mother sat glued to the television to watch the celebrations as she has done for the last ten years or so.
To recognise our accomplishments as mothers of the nation; juggling family, caregiving and work , I felt it necessary to post an article on this blog.
The most ideal one I could come up with was the one I wrote in March 2020 because it still holds true in light of the reality on the ground but I had to scroll through Uganda’s fact sheet of 2024 at the UN Women website to catch up with the times.
One item that caught my eye was the fact that in 2024, 33.9 % of the seats in the current Parliament of Uganda are held by women. Worth cheering for when compared to the one and only pioneer , Mrs. Florence Alice Lubega in the 1962 Parliament. That is until I checked the available data from our neighbours in Rwanda and Kenya.
Of the 80 members in the lower House in Rwanda, 49 are females translating to 61 percent of the total with 30% attributed to affirmative action for women.
In Kenya, there are 96 females across the two chambers of 416 members, translating to 23 % of the total still without affirmative action.
Uganda ‘s affirmative action to get more women in Parliament started in 1989: the women in each district to be represented by one female from the area. It is ongoing.
According to the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association, out of the 557 members in the current parliament, 189 are females translating in 33.9%. Of these 146 are District Women representatives and 13 are elected constituency members. A lot remains to be done by the women themselves and the men and women of Uganda together to increase the women numbers.
“We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”- Malala Yousafzai
There are many old adages about the past, present and future- the standard markers of
of time.
“ The past is behind, learn from it . The future is ahead, prepare for it . The present is here, live it.’’- Thomas S. Monson
“ None of us can change the yesterdays, but all of us can change our tomorrows.’’– Colin Powell
Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. – Spanish Proverb
One thing I know for sure is that as l live in the present moment, the past keeps showing up in snippets.
The psychologists tell us that unresolved issues in our past keep showing up and influencing the decisions and choices we make as adults.
The historians want us to look at everything through the lens of history since humans hardly change in behaviour and history helps us understand the complexities of human behaviour.
Looking at the past gives you perspective- understanding the complex circumstances of past events. It endows you with a broader perspective on current issues and challenges. It influences you to make better decisions and develop more effective solutions to the present.
Studying history helps each one of us to understand our own identities and cultures.
For the young generation, history presents them with real life dilemma, teaches them how to understand what it takes to overcome adversity and make a difference in the world around them. Students learn that acts of love, sacrifice, perseverance, integrity and commitment can impact the lives of many and inspire future generations to be bold and daring.
For the elderly, history helps us understand who we are, where we come from and the values that guide us. History adds depth to our present understanding and enhances senior identity.
In medicine, the health history is very crucial in understanding the patient’s state of health and most times it has a role in the diagnosis and management of each patient. Past medical history is essential in making timely and accurate diagnosis of an acute illness and leads to improved outcomes. It also helps in identifying the high risk of having common disorders and in the management of present health care and future needs of each patient.
In the current Digital era where things change often and rapidly, individuals and companies have to keep updating their profiles, systems and skills to survive and thrive.
For regular bloggers like me, we are to keep agile by writing content which is fresh , original and relevant to keep our readers engaged and to attract new ones to our websites while retaining the old ones. Regular update is essential as new information becomes available and the writers gain new insights. Old content can also be refreshed.
We should not to dwell in the past but we must strive to understand it with clarity and pick what is most appropriate to inform our Present and Future. For you when you know and understand things, you act better.
“ Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’’– Winston Churchill
THE BOOK LAUNCH
An important historical event in the advance to Uganda’s independence took place in the six hundred years old Buganda Kingdom located in the current central Uganda. By then, it was being ruled by its 35th King: Kabaka Edward Mutesa II.
In 1945, after the second world war, the British empire and European countries were weakened by debts and needed to shed off some of their colonies and territories. The war armed the Africans with the military knowledge and leadership skills which they later used to fight for their own independence. African nationalism challenged the colonial powers and dismantled the empires.
By the time the British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan made his famous speech of “ the Wind of Change’’ in Cape Town , South Africa, in February 1960, the forces of change were blowing furiously across the African Continent.
From July 1953, Kabaka Edward Mutesa II and his people had started clamouring for independence as a sovereign state from the her Majesty’s government. The stalemate between the Kabaka and Queen’s representative as governor of the Uganda Protectorate, culminated in the exile of Kabaka Mutesa II to Britain on 30th November 1953. This was followed by two and half years of uncertainty and non-violent struggle against the Queen’s government by the Baganda.
Kabaka Mutesa II’s government was run by 3 Ministers: 2 Protestants and 1 Catholic. Among the Protestants ones was my late father Paulo Neil Kavuma as the Katikkiro- Chief Minister. Educated in a Church missionary –founded school for chiefs followed by 20 years of working in the Protectorate’s Provincial and Resident’s Offices and 12 years as a saza chief in the Buganda Kingdom: he found himself at the helm of the government.
After the deposition of the Kabaka, the three ministers accepted to become regents – to rule the kingdom on behalf the Kabaka until his return. Together with their people, they chose to fight non-violently and relentlessly until the Queen’s government agreed to return Kabaka Mutesa II as their king on 17th October 1955.
It was a win-win situation for the Kabaka and his people and the Uganda Protectorate representing the Queen’s government in that for once the Buganda Kingdom agreed to become an integral part of the Unitary state of Uganda while Her Majesty’s government agreed to return Kabaka Mutesa II as Kabaka immediately and sign the new 1955 Buganda Agreement.
CRISIS IN BUGANDA 1953-55 is a personal account of my father as Katikkiro at the vanguard of the fight for the return of Kabaka. He wrote the manuscript in 1957 when everything was still fresh in his mind and it was published by Rex Collings, London 1979.
Due to the civil turmoil in the Uganda of the 80s, only a few copies were made available in Uganda.
Fast forward to the new millennium when our three children and a niece who were attending the University of Cape Town in science courses but voracious readers, stumbled upon CRISIS IN BUGANDA 1953- 55 in the African Region History section of their main library in 2007. This challenged me as the eldest daughter of my father, to make the book available to Ugandans and the world at large.
On returning to Uganda after almost twenty five years of economic exile in Botswana, Southern Africa, I started on this project only to be slowed down by the two half years of the COVID-19 pandemic lock down. It took me a while to get assimilated into a radically changed Uganda.
By God’s grace , the 2024 Edition of the CRISIS IN BUGANDA 1953-55 was successfully launched at the very place: Butikkiro- the official residence of the Katikkiro of Buganda, where my late father had lived during that tough period of the exile of the Kabaka. By sheer coincidence, it was exactly 71 years since the historical event had happened! A group of invited guests closely connected to the book , members of our big family and friends were hosted for the launch by none other than the current Katikkiro of the Buganda kingdom: Owekitiibwa Charles Peter Mayiga.
The theme of the day was : Only Time Will Tell – that’s why my father wrote the book so that readers get to know the facts surrounding the saga to decide for themselves whether the 3 ministers led by him as Chief Minister made the right decisions at that moment in time.
THE 2024 EDITION INCLUDES
The original book as my father wrote it and had it published in 1979.
Part of the Post Script is an introduction to the new edition by a renowned Ugandan Historian : Prof of History , Samwiri Lwanga- Lunyiigo
A chapter entitled : After the Crisis in Mengo– introducing the young generation to Paulo Neil Kavuma and highlighting his great contribution to the growth and development of Uganda including his indispensable role in the NRA bush war in the Luwero triangle( 1980-86) and last but not least as a hands-on- father and as the true portrait of voluntary service in Uganda during his final thirty four years after the Mengo Crisis of 1953-55.
He died with a great sense of radical thankfulness and celebration of his whole life.
“ The dying pray at the last not ‘please’ but ‘ thank you’ as a guest thanks his host at the door.’’
REVIEWS- One encouraging review from a reader under 40 :
“I finished reading Crisis in Buganda 1953-55 on Sunday.
What a thrilling book!
I was so engrossed in reading that book and found it most eye-opening and informative.
May your father’s legacy live on.’’
Where can I get the 2024 Edition of the book?
Locally: Contact
+ 256 705164655 and + 256 784 859 642
For those outside Uganda and are interested in buying copies of the book please contact me via email address: janekavuma.kayonga@gmail.com
A tree without roots is a piece of wood.- African proverb.
“ We are because he was.’’ He remains our best role model.
I posted this article here on the 24th January 2024 after visiting both Namugongo Martyrs Shrine and the Martyrs Museum at leisure. Since 1975, the 3rd June has been celebrated as Martyrs Day in Uganda in honour of the 23 young Catholic converts and 22 Anglican ones who were killed for their faith at Namugongo under the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda. They were killed between January 1885 and January 1887. Their blood has remained the “seed of the church” in Uganda.
May, one of my young sisters from London, joined us celebrate the festive season last year. My mother could not have enough of her ; it left the two emotionally rattled. What was not said between them spoke more than what was said. Having a lot of time to ourselves, we chose to visit the cradle of our Christian faith at leisure at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Namugongo . It is located about eleven kilometre east of the capital, Kampala. Being a long holiday, we had the place to ourselves.
Naturally, we started off at the Anglican Church Museum built under the stewardship of Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo (1938-2018). Archbishop Nkoyoyo conceived the idea of building the museum at the Anglican Martyrs Shrine in 2013 , had it constructed and it was opened by Pope Frances in 2015 when he visited Uganda.
Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo built this world class faith-based and pilgrimage complex for the following reasons:
To preserve the history of the young martyrs killed and buried at the site on 3rd June 1886.
To develop a pilgrimage site that can be visited throughout the year and generate some money to fund some church activities.
To show case Uganda’s rich cultural heritage
He was driven into this huge undertaking because his grandfather was among the few converts who survived the killings. It proved to be a tough undertaking but he persevered.
The first missionaries from the Church Missionary Society of Britain led by Alexander Mackay arrived in Buganda in June 1877 and were followed by the White Fathers from France led by Father Simeon Lourdel and Brother Amans in February 1879 during the reign of Mutesa 1. They competed for converts , managed to get a number among the Kabaka’s/king royal pages. Kabaka Mwanga 11, aged 18 years, succeeded his father in October 1884. As the Kabaka, he had absolute power and found it hard to accept that the newly converted subjects worshipped a god higher than him. Between 1885 and June 1886, he ordered the converts either to renounce their new church-based faith or die.
Archives indicate that as far as 1764, the then Kabaka of Buganda had set Namugongo site as a place where the royal executioner brutally killed anyone who disobeyed the Kabaka. During the reign of Mwanga 11 , the chief executioner was called Mukajanga.
The hands and legs of the condemned were tied as they walked the ten kilometres to this execution site. At the site, they would be tortured and dragged on their backs ( Omugongo) as the executioners collected the firewood and tools needed for the slaughter. By the time they were executed they were weak but they still sang and bore witness to Jesus Christ in both words and actions.
Some were speared to death or beheaded while many were tied up in reeds and thrown into a raging fire. Their remains were later buried at the site.
Between January 1885 and January 1887 , 23 Catholic converts and 22 Anglican Church ones were executed at Namugongo. Youngest among them was John Baptist Kizito(1872-1886), the patron saint of children.
On the 3rd June 1886, a total of 32 young men, Catholics and Anglicans were burned alive at Namugongo.
This explains why later in 1975, the 3rd June was officially declared Martyrs day in Uganda in recognition of the of these young men who were persecuted for their faith and the site had been declared a religious Shrine in 1967.
I visited the shrine in the early 70s but my mother, being a staunch Catholic attended the first Mass celebrated by Pope Paul V1 in July 1969. She continued to make the annual pilgrimage until 2016 when the degenerative chronic arthritis almost confined her at home.
Walking around in Mukajanga’s territory after about 138 years, was extremely humbling and arresting. With the help of the tour guides, I was able to stretch my imagination to experience the horrors of the time.
The architectural structure of the museum complex is truly African ; with reeds set firmly into concrete and the floor looking old and familiar with the earth tone colours of brown, grey and beige and muted shades of orange, red and yellow.
The sculptor of the chief royal executioner, Mukajanga, at the entrance , with his big , terrifying eyes , his pose, his huge muscles, his attire and amulets set the tone of what is to follow.
The sculptures of the executioners and the condemned wrapped up in pyres of reeds, others being tied up and dragged on their backs under the torture tree within the executioner’s command post are very real. So is the raging fire in which they are later thrown to burn to death. I was spell bound until I entered the small chapel next to this fireplace. An experience of this nature is unforgettable and nags your conscience to relive it as you live your life daily as a Christian. I had a similar experience during my pilgrimage to Israel in 2011 when I visited the garden of Gethesemane and the Calvary. It is indeed a spiritual revelation.
Thereafter, we walked to the spring where Mukajanga and his team washed their tools
and cleansed themselves symbolically before returning to normality.
I must admit that the Sculptor, Fred Kigozi Lubwama did an amazing job with their facial expressions; reflecting a degree of inner turmoil enveloping them at that moment in time. Unfortunately , Fred Kigozi died in a motorcycle accident near his home on 31st December 2019, aged 36. He was a natural enthusiastic and talented sculptor. His creations will always remind us of him. He created all these sculptures out of the friendship and respect he had for Archbishop Nkoyoyo other than for money.
By sheer coincidence, the church was preparing for a memorial service in honour of the late Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo who died of cancer on 5th January 2018 and was buried at this very site too. We said a thankful prayer over his grave.
Another humbling effect for the two of us was finding our names and four other family members including our father and mother on a plaque recognising 22 friends of the Uganda martyrs from the United Kingdom. I remembered that in 2014, while visiting my sister in London, Archbishop Nkoyoyo happened to be in London fundraising for the construction of the museum. We had willingly given some money towards the noble cause and left it at that.
The Catholic martyrs shrine built under the stewardship of the late Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga, the second Ugandan Catholic archbishop of Uganda, was completed in 1967. In July 1969, Pope Paul V1 who had declared the 22 Ugandan martyrs as saints in 1964, visited the shrine. An open air mass was celebrated at the site and my beloved mother could not miss it for anything.
By the time we arrived at the basilica, a regular mass was being celebrated so we missed the opportunity to look around. Our well trained guide took us around the grounds.
The sculptures of the young martyrs were built by a sculptor and the Roko Construction company. Some martyrs were beheaded, others tortured and left to bleed to death others were speared to death. The horror and violence of each event was captured remarkedly. Each of the young martyrs has been made a patron saint : the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft or activity. The tour guide informed us the most visited martyr by Ugandans is James Buuzaabalyaawo, the patron saint of traders and merchants. The grounds are well kept, have some green areas. The church has been innovative in creating hope and joy in a place that once symbolised horror.
Mass weddings and baptisms are conducted at the central alter of the amphitheatre. Symbols of new beginnings.
The water from the spring is clean, treated and is considered as holy water by the pilgrims.
The Uganda martyrs shrine of Namugongo has become the largest Christian pilgrimage destination in Africa just as both the late Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga and late Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo envisaged.
It is said that, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.’’
I appreciated the fact that the spread of Christianity in Buganda, happened during the time of the Europeans’ scramble for Africa. The British in particular wanted to control the source of the Nile in Uganda to consolidate their control over Egypt.
Kabaka Mwanga 11 fears were genuine in that the white man’s religion threatened his power and sovereignty. After the killing of the new converts in Namugongo in 1886, a period of religious wars followed in Buganda as Protestants, Catholics and Muslims fought for dominance at the Mengo court. It ended in 1892 when the Protestant converts sought the assistance of Captain Fred Lugard of the Imperial British East African Company. He armed them with guns and they decisively defeated the Catholics and Muslims.
After 1892, there was renewed effort by both the Protestants and Catholic missionaries to spread Christianity in Uganda. Some good was born out of the killings of the martyrs: In 1903,
King Mwanga 11 died a baptized Christian while exiled in the Seychelles.
According to Uganda’s 2014 census, over 84 percent of the population was Christian, 14 percent Moslem while the rest practiced traditional religions.
What stands out for me is that 138 years after the martyrs’ deaths, the loss of life has continued in Uganda. Those in position and power use their power to oppress their opponents. In February 1977, the then archbishop of the Anglican church, Janani Luwum and two other government ministers were murdered for speaking out on the violence and horror against the people by President Amin Dada’s government.
The November 2020 violence and terror leashed on some members of the opposition just before the 2021 January general elections was scary. Up to today, many are being tortured for their political leanings. Debating, negotiating and reaching a consensus on the important issues that affect us is yet to become an integral part of our governance.
The two Archbishops built the Basilica and martyrs’ museum, the onus is on every Christian to visit and promote these historical religious sites. Not forgetting to live by our religious convictions.
QUESTION:
When was the last time you visited the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo? Did the visit leave you the same way you went there?
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