Charles Lwanga

Charles Lwanga (* 1865 in Bulimu in Uganda, † June 3, 1886 in Namugongo ) was a Ugandan martyrs. Charles Lwanga and his companions are worshiped in the Catholic and the Anglican Church as a saint. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America considers them memorable witnesses.

After the reign of King ( Kabaka ) Mutesa I. Christian missionaries in Uganda had begun their work, they were exposed under King Mwanga II again repression. Meanwhile, a portion of the population had become Christians or prepared as catechumens for baptism. Especially among the pages at the court of the king, there were many Christians. Charles Lwanga was the leader of the royal pages and was baptized in June 1885. After the murder of Denis Pagen Ssebuggwawo, a catechist, King Mwanga had to explain that all members of the court who do not desisted from praying, should be killed and left on May 27, 1886 convene a court session. He said: " Those of you who do not pray to, stay by my side; the other should be set up against the reed wall ". Charles Lwanga and 15 other pages went over to the wall. Two of them did the king break up shortly afterwards and offer as things sacrificed to idols, while the other brought by Namugongo, where they were tied up in bundles of straw and burned at the stake.

Overall, were killed in the persecution under Kabaka Mwanga II more than 100 Christians. In Namugongo 32 Catholics and Anglicans died at the stake, some of them have been tortured before.

Pope Benedict XV. said Charles Lwanga and his companions in 1920 saved. Pope Paul VI. said on 18 October 1964 during the Second Vatican Council, 22 martyrs of this persecution sacred, including Charles Lwanga and his companions.

Charles Lwanga was instituted by Pope Pius XI. 1934 declared a saint of the youth of Africa. In the liturgy of the Catholic and Anglican Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is the anniversary Lwangas Karl and his companions on June 3.