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Mbaga Tuzindé, giovane della corte reale, era ancora catecumeno quando si
scatenò la persecuzione. Fu battezzato da Carlo Lwanga poco prima di essere
mandato a morte insieme a lui.
Bruno Séron Kuma, nato nel villaggio Mbalé e battezzato il 15 novembre 1885,
venne accolto tra i giovani cristiani che prestavano servizio a corte. Subì il
martirio a ventisei anni.
Kizito, anima innocente, fu il più giovane del gruppo a subire il martirio all’età
di tredici anni. Era figlio di uno dei più alti dignitari del regno e risplendeva di
purezza e forza d’animo. Poco prima di essere gettato in prigione, ricevette il
battesimo da Carlo Lwanga.
Pontiano Ngondwé, fu gettato in carcere insieme agli altri membri del gruppo
dopo aver ricevuto il battesimo il 18 novembre 1885. Condannato a morte, subì
il martirio il 26 maggio 1886.
Andrea Kagwa, caro a tutti per le grandi qualità d’animo, non soltanto
insegnava la dottrina cristiana a quanti lo avvicinavano, ma si prodigò con
straordinaria carità a favore degli infermi in occasione di un’epidemia di peste
che si era diffusa nella regione. Avvicinò moltissimi infermi a Cristo,
aspergendoli con l’acqua battesimale, e diede sepoltura ai defunti. Il 26 maggio
1886, a trent’anni, il venerabile servo di Dio subì il martirio e raggiunse la
gloria celeste.
Giovanni Maria Muzéi (Iamari), aveva un aspetto di tale gravità che venne
onorato col nome di Muzéi, cioè “anziano” Insigne anche per prudenza, carità,
dolcezza d’animo, generosità verso i poveri e sollecitudine verso gli ammalati,
dedicò le proprie sostanze e il proprio impegno a riscattare i prigionieri, che poi
istruiva nella fede cristiana. Si narra che abbia appreso in un solo giorno tutta
la dottrina del catecumenato. Battezzato il 1° novembre 1885 e unto del sacro
crisma il 3 giugno dell’anno seguente, subì il martirio il 27 gennaio 1887.
Dionisio Sebuggwao, nato nel villaggio Bunono e giovane della corte reale,
ricevette il battesimo il 17 novembre 1885, distinguendosi per integrità di
costumi. Morì martire all’età di quindici anni, il 26 maggio 1886.
Charles Lwanga, who was born in the city of Bulimu and baptized on November
15, 1885, is the most famous of the group to the point that, in 1969, Paul VI
chose his place of martyrdom to inaugurate the big Namugongo Shrine of the
22 martyrs. Charles attracted the admiration and goodwill of all for his great
spiritual gifts. As the head of the royal palace's youth, he strengthened their
commitment to preserving their faith and chastity, rejecting the enticements of
sovereignty. While imprisoned, he openly encouraged the catechumens to
persevere in their love for religion, which carried him to his torment with
admirable strength of mind at the age of twenty.
Mbaga Tuzindé was a young man from the royal court and still a catechumen
when the persecution broke out. He was baptized by Charles Lwanga shortly
before being sent to death with him.
Bruno Séron Kuma, born in the village of Mbalé and baptized on November 15,
1885, was included among the young Christians who served at the palace. He
was martyred at the age of twenty-six.
Kizito was an innocent soul and, at the age of thirteen, the youngest of the
group to suffer martyrdom. He was the son of one of the highest dignitaries of
the kingdom and radiated with purity and strength of mind. Shortly before
being thrown into prison, he was baptized by Charles Lwanga.
Ambrose Kibuka, baptized on November 17, 1885, was also a young man from
the royal court who kept his faith firm and ardent until his atrocious death,
which he faced in the name of Christ at the age of twenty-two.
Mgagga was a catechumen and imprisoned for declaring himself a Christian.
Before being killed he was baptized by Charles Lwanga.
Achille Kiwanuka, born in Mitiyana, as a young man from the royal palace, was
baptized on November 17, 1885. He courageously set out for his final anguish
after he had fearlessly professed his Christian faith before the king when he
was seventeen years old.
Adolphus Ludigo Mkasa received his baptism on November 17, 1885 and
observed the Catholic faith in a holy way, professing it firmly until his death
which he faced in the name of Christ at the age of twenty-five.
Mukasa Kiriwanu was a young man of the royal court. While the executioners
were leading Charles Lwanga and his companions to Namugongo hill, he
answered yes to the question of whether he too was a Christian and was led to
be executed with the others.
Matiya Kalemba Murumba was fifty years old when he was martyred. Chosen to
serve as a judge, he resigned after his baptism on May 28, 1882 because he
was afraid that his sentences would harm his neighbor. Gifted with great
modesty and a gentle soul, he was so fervent in his zeal for the religious
apostolate that he not only educated his children to live in holiness but tried to
teach Christian doctrine to as many people as he could.
Ponsiano Ngondwé was thrown into prison with the other members of the group
after receiving his baptism on November 18, 1885. Sentenced to death, he was
martyred on May 26, 1886.
Gonzaga Gonza was a young man from the palace baptized on November 17,
1885. He fulfilled his religious obligations with devotion and was particularly
distinguished by the virtue of charity. He was martyred at the age of eighteen
on May 27, 1886.
Andrew Kagwa, who was dear to all for his great spirit, not only taught Christian
doctrine to those who approached him but gave himself with extraordinary
charity to the sick during the plague epidemic that had spread in the region. He
brought many of the sick closer to Christ by sprinkling them with baptismal
water and burying the dead. On May 26, 1886, at the age of thirty, the
venerable servant of God was martyred and reached heavenly glory.
Joseph Mkasa Balikuddembé initially enjoyed the trust of King Mwanga. After
receiving baptism and confirmation, he took Holy Communion for the first time
on April 30, 1882 which he approached earnestly. With a gentle heart, the
charity and religious inspiration which characterized him, he was able to bring
many young people from the royal palace closer to Christ, urging them and
other courtiers with advice and encouragement not to indulge in the
sovereign's lustfulness. He was martyred at the age of twenty-six on November
15, 1885.
John Maria Muzéi (Iamari) had such a serious appearance that he was honored
with the name Muzéi, that is to say "old man." Known also for prudence,
charity, sweetness of spirit, and generosity towards the poor and concern for
the sick, he dedicated his belongings and personal commitment to redeem the
prisoners who he then educated in the Christian faith. It is said that he learned
all the doctrine of a catechumen in a single day. Baptized on November 1, 1885
and anointed with the Holy Chrism on June 3rd of the following year, he was
martyred on January 27, 1887.
Denis Sebuggwao was born in the village of Bunono, a youth from the royal
palace. He was baptized on November 17, 1885 and was distinguished for his
moral integrity. He died a martyr at fifteen years old on May 26, 1886.