You cannot talk about Uganda martyrs without mentioning the name Mukajanga who was Buganda kingdom’s chief executioner who played a pivotal role in the demise of the 45 young Christians at Namugongo.
Several years after his death, his name continues to be mentioned wherever the country celebrates Martyrs day
At the mention of the Uganda martyrs the name Mukajanga cannot be missed yet all the memories about it are the acts of brutality meted upon the martyrs for failure to denounce Christianity. Interestingly Mukajanga was only but a nickname.
His real name was Kibuuka.
And this is how his life began. At the time Kibuuka was born, it was a norm to have children dedicated to serve the kingdom and so he was the dedicated for this noble cause during the reign kabaka Muteesa I. when he became of age, he immediately joined the youth wing of the Kingdom.
But after Mwanga took on the throne as heir, he was taken to the palace.
After such activeness, Kibuuka now known as Mukajanga in the palace was promoted to head peg men whose command post was in Namugongo and that is where he was posted. And this is the site of execution.
At the same execution site is the well which he used to wash the killing apparatus as well as themselves to get rid of any curse that would arise from murder.
This cleansing also signified incense since Mukajanga and his men were only carrying out executing orders.
After Mukajanga’s tenure in office, he retired to his home in Kibiri along present day Busabala road.
He however later accepted Christianity and was baptized. Two years later, he died and was embalmed.
It is believed, the embalmed remains of Mukajanga stayed at Kibiri for about 8 years and was later brought and buried at his ancestral home in Mwera in the current day Wakiso district.
When you arrive this shrine, you can mistake it for any other old building alongside the road near a cemetery.
However this is the burial place for Mukajanga.
We were received by some members in his lineage including the line heir Nsubuga Eriasafu who allowed us access to the tomb in the old house kept under lock and key.
He also tells us that the sculptures at Namugongo representing Mukajanga are only representative of how he could have looked like since during the olden times, cameras were a rear incident.
In this shrine are a total of 10 graves but definitely one stands out. It is covered in backcloth and white sheets.
The lineage members say this is a sign of paying homage to their grand father for his deeds that helped promote Christianity in Uganda and beyond.
The lineage members dispute the name calling of their grandfather whom many have described as rude and heartless saying he was simply loyal and obedient and was actually a kind man
Other numerous graves are evident at Mukajanga’s burial ground which is also is a clan cemetery.
They say, for the prestige brought by their great grandfather and to maintain history, all Children in the lineage are buried here including married daughters of the family whose will is to be buried here and not at their husband’s home.
The family is also in gear to elevate the status of the 17 acre burial site, with a wall fence and progress is evident.
