Saint Luc BANABAKINTU

Baanabakintu was a Muganda of the Lung-fish (Mamba) clan. His father was Mukwanga and his mother was Kusuubiza of the Nvuma (creeping plant) clan. Baanabakintu was born at Ntolomwe in Butambaa County. This is where Mukwanga and his son Baanabakintu picked up skills in the black-smith profession.

He was also in charge of Mukwende’s fishermen on Lake Wamala, wood cutters, potters, cooks e.t.c. Baanabakintu was very clever with an exceptional memory, honest, cheerful, alert and respectful.

The Christians of Miyana used to send Baanabakintu on foot to Kampala, a distance of forty miles or sixty-four kilometers every week for the priest’s Sunday sermons.

He had to attend the Sunday sermon and almost everything word by word and by heart. The he could return to Mityna and relate the whole sermon to Mathias Mulumba. Mulumba had to learn it, polish it and keep it for the following Sunday sermon at Mityana.

Baanabakintu was baptized together with his friend Mulumba on Sunday 28th May 1882. Luke and Mulumba were arrested on Wednesday afternoon 26th May, 1886 at about 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon 27th May, 1886 at about 3.00 p.m., they were taken to Namugongo. But Mulumba was left behind and killed at Old Kampala.

Baanabakintu was taken to Namugongo where he was burnt to death on Ascension Day, Thursday noon 3rd June, 1886 at the age of about thirty.

Luke is the patron saint of fishermen, sailors, mechanics, students and black-smiths.