Present day Uganda traces itself back to this unusual kingdom, a pagan realm in the African interior, governed for centuries by an absolute monarch (the Kabaka) who had the power of life and death over his three million subjects. The Kingdom of Buganda was a courteous, refined, and generous place, with worthy traditions passed down from generation to generation. It was also marred by political intrigue between the Kabaka, his ministers, and clan chiefs. The social order had many good features, but also ingrained habits of cruelty, a form of polygamy that made women virtual slaves, and narrow and sometimes violent superstitions that occasionally even called for human sacrifice.
All the conflicting tensions of Buganda were ultimately in the hands of the Kabaka, until outside forces began bringing new ideas and practices into his realm. Arab Muslims came first, followed by English explorers, then English (Anglican) missionaries, and (after many setbacks) the French Catholic “White Fathers” led by Father Simeon Lourdel, who arrived in 1879. Kabaka Mutesa allowed everyone religious freedom, and Bagandans with searching minds and hearts were drawn from the old oppressive paganism toward Islam or the preaching of the Gospel. The Kabaka himself was ambivalent, as he feared encroachment from both Arabs and emerging European colonial powers. He leaned toward one or another religion in turns, trying to play the Arabs, French, and English against one another to see who would best serve his political interests. Kabaka Mutesa was not a persecutor, but his political-religious intrigues ultimately led to the collapse of the Kingdom under his sons, and to great suffering for Bagandan Christians.Meanwhile, (Joseph) Mukasa, born in 1860 in the Giant-Rat Clan, grew up tall, athletic, and intelligent among his extended family. Seemingly destined for prominence, he was sent to serve at the Kabaka’s court in 1874, where he distinguished himself and rapidly rose through the ranks, while also seeking religious truth. Faith in Jesus Christ came for Mukasa, as it did for so many in Buganda, through the grace of an encounter and the encouragement of friendship. After several years at court, Mukasa became friends with the new royal drummer Kaggwa (later Saint Andrew Kaggwa, another of the early martyrs). Kaggwa had met the remarkable Fr Lourdel, and was fascinated by his radiant Christian life. He convinced Mukasa to join him in the Catholic catechumenate. On April 30, 1882, Andrew Kaggwa and Joseph Mukasa were baptized by Fr Lourdel. They had long been busy bringing others to meet the Catholic missionaries, and so the Church grew from person-to-person.
Soon Joseph Mukasa had risen to the special rank of Kabaka Mutesa’s personal attendant, and he took care of the enigmatic Kabaka during the latter’s final illness and death in 1884. His son and successor Mwanga retained Joseph and respected him deeply, often seeking his advice on political questions. Kabaka Mwanga, however, was a man of unstable temperament and self indulgence. He soon turned against the Christians. Joseph Mukasa’s patient rebukes of the young ruler led to Mwanga’s condemning him to death. On November 15, 1885, Joseph Mukasa became Buganda’s first Catholic martyr at the beginning of the persecution and heroic witness of the other Uganda martyrs whose feast is collectively celebrated on June 3.