May 26 remains one of the defining dates in Uganda’s religious and historical journey. On this day in 1886, Saint Andrew Kaggwa was executed at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine during the brutal persecution of Christian converts ordered by Kabaka Mwanga II.
Unlike many of the young pages who would later be remembered among the Uganda Martyrs, Kaggwa was a senior and influential figure in the Buganda Kingdom.
He served as the Mugowa, the chief royal drummer and head of the Kiganda traditional band at the royal court. His position placed him close to the centre of power at a time when Christianity was rapidly spreading through Buganda.
By the mid-1880s, Mwanga II had grown increasingly suspicious of Christian converts within his palace. The Kabaka feared the new faith was weakening loyalty to the throne and opening the door to foreign influence. Converts were accused of placing their allegiance to God and missionaries above the authority of the kingdom.
Kaggwa had become one of the most respected Catholic catechists of the period. As missionaries faced restrictions, he reportedly turned his home in Kigowa into a secret centre for teaching Christianity, counselling believers and baptising new converts. His influence stretched far beyond the palace walls.
The immediate events leading to his death were tied to Denis Ssebuggwawo, a young palace page whom Kaggwa had instructed in the Christian faith.
When Mwanga discovered the page preaching Christianity inside the palace, the King reportedly attacked him in anger before ordering his execution. The Katikkiro, Mukasa, who strongly opposed Christianity, then demanded Kaggwa’s arrest, accusing him of spreading religion throughout the kingdom.
On the morning of May 26, 1886, Kaggwa was arrested from his home and taken for execution near Munyonyo. Historical accounts describe him remaining calm even as executioners hesitated. He reportedly told them: “My master is hungry; go and give him the meat he wants.” His arms were cut off before he was beheaded.
His death became one of the earliest and most symbolic killings in the Uganda Martyrs story, which would continue in the weeks leading to the mass executions at Namugongo on June 3, 1886.
Today, St Andrew Kaggwa Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine stands on the site of his martyrdom and has become a major place of pilgrimage during annual Uganda Martyrs Day commemorations. Kaggwa was canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1964 and is recognised as the patron saint of catechists, teachers and families.
