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The Life and Martyrdom of St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe

St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe was a muganda of Edible-rat (Musu) clan. The father to Njubeeseeta Nkulakito and the mother was Sarah kajjwayo who was a mutooro. Balikudembe was a very powerful leader and served the two kings. Later on, the parents of joseph Mukasa died and the mothers grave is found at Kawumba in Mitala Maria parish which is the same place where he was born as well as a memorial chapel was put in the place where the mother gave birth to him. Every 15^th November Christians make a pilgrimage to mark the day he was martyred in 1885.

St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe

Mukasa Acquires the Name Balikudembe

It was a holific moment when a cobra entered king Muteesa`s house, Mukasa rushed and strangled the cobra with his bare hands after failing to get a stick. The king was in his house known as Twekobe in the afternoon and its from there that the king gave him the name “Balikudembe’’ to mean the one who is peaceful as Nsobya.

From the time the catholic missionaries departed, the Catholic’s were never allowed to practice their religion freely. But from that incident, the king said to St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe, “Due to what you have done to save the kingdom from catastrophe, you can teach and practice your religion at liberty with your fellow Catholic’s“. The Catholic’s were called the Bamasia in Buganda region. So, from that time Mukasa acquired the name Balikudembe. The bamasia as well took up the name “Ba-Balikudembe` `which means followers of Balikudembe, the hero and saviour.

However, there is also another version of how St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe acquired his name. Mr. Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe the head catechist in Mitala-Maria catholic parish and the heir to St. Balikudembe says that, Mukasa was generally a peaceful person in his conduct. And with his position as chief in the king’s palace, he used to lead some pages for work or allocate them work.

These were always eager to work with him. There was a statement that they usually said that “abakola ne Mukasa bali ku ddembe” which meant that those who work with Mukasa are at peace. So, because he was a good person and everyone was always at peace with him and that made him to acquire the name Balikudembe.

MWANGAS EYE TROUBLE AND HIS THREAT WITH THE FRENCHMEN AND THE ENGLISH

St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe was baptized on the 1^st November 1885, the feast of all saints. Shortly on 11^th November, kabaka Mwanga launched threats to the Frenchmen and the English. When Fr. Lourdel asked the kabaka whether the threat applies to them as well as the catholic mission, he replied in a low voice saying “No, you people aren’t included” which gave Fr. Lourdel courage to continue with his work.

As time went on Kabaka Mwanga developed an eye problem and checked in the catholic mission for medicine which he thought would heal him. Fr. Lourdel got him an eye drug which he gave him and a few moments he was relieved. On the 13^th November, fr. Lourdel visited Kabaka Mwanga to check on him. When he was leaving, Fr Lourdel left the kabaka with 2 pills incase the eye worsened. In return the kabaka gave him a goat and he left well assured that everything was alright.

However, the kabakas situation worsened in the night and in the morning St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe came in a hurry to the mission to summon the priest. Lourdel went to court where he found Mwanga with the chancellor, Kyambalango and Kalungi. The kabaka then told Fr. Lourdel how the pill made him have a bad night and then Lourdel assured him how the pill won’t harm him. Though the kabaka had thoughts that he was being poisoned.

Fr. Lourdel after went with Mwanga’s great Muslim friend to get for the kabaka citric acid. On their return, they found every one panicking as well as the kabaka was vomiting a little milk which was given to him in the absence of Fr. Lourdel. However, Mapeera told them not to fear as it was described as a bad counselor. The princess Nassiwa who had been treated in the same way assured his brother that he would be well. And when he took the citric acid, the vomiting stopped and his wealth improved. After kabaka Mwanga’s health improving, he turned his anger to those that had informed the missionaries about his plan.

The Death of St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe

When St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe condemned the kabaka plainly for putting to death Bishop Hannington to death saying that it was wrong for his father Kabaka Muteesa 1 to do such a thing. The kabaka took considered that as an insult to his dignity and to the memory of his father.

Joseph went on to inform the pages to always refuse the kings shameless demands on them. One night the king sent for Joseph a session that lasted for the whole night. During the session, the kabaka threatened to exterminate all the Christians.

The next morning joseph Mukasa went for mass which was held in the catholic mission and he went to receive communion from mapeeras hands. While leaving church, a page known as Kafulusi told him that his majesty wanted to see him. The kabaka felt betrayed by his very own.

St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe was on his knees praying when the summons came, he left at once to the kabakas place and Mwanga began to detail his grievances to the chancellor. On the other hand, the executioners were waiting to do what the kabaka would command them. Later the chancellor told the chief executor Mukajanga to tie St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe. By that the kabaka gained peace of mind and these is seen where he said, “you have saved me, now there will no longer be two kabakas in court”. St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe replied, “I am then to die for my religion”

The kabaka then ordered the chief executor to collect firewood from the court house so as to burn Joseph that night. Joseph Mukasa was tied on a rough framework under which fuel was heaped. Mukajanga then gave signal to Lukowe and a knife flashed through the air and blood soaked the soil.

On Sunday 15^th November 1885, St Joseph Mukasa Balikudembe was killed and his body was burnt to ashes at Nakivubo at the age of 20. This made him the first catholic martyr in Uganda and he was the patron saint of politician and chiefs. The current St. Balikudembe market formerly Nakivubo was named after the martyr and in the middle of it stands the sub-parish church named St. Balikudembe mobile church because a number of people come daily to the market. The place is in mengo kisenyi catholic parish.