Saint Mukasa KIRIWAWANVU

Saint Mukasa KIRIWAWANVU

Nom: KIRIWAWANVU

Prénom: Mukasa

Pays: Ouganda

Naissance:

Mort: 03.06.1886 à Namagongo

Etat: Laïc - Martyr du Groupe des 22 martyrs de l’Ouganda

Note: Page du roi.

Béatification: 06.06.1920 à Rome par Benoît XV

Canonisation: 18.10.1964 à Rome par Paul VI

Fête: 3 juin

Réf. dans l’Osservatore Romano:

Réf. dans la Documentation Catholique: 1964 col.1345-1352

Mukasa was a Muganda of the sheep (Ovis-Ndiga) clan. Descending from Mpanga of mbaale Mawokota County, in the family of Ndalu. His father was Lumanyika, a very good wrestler.

He wrestled king Muteesa 1 down in a friendly contest. In recognition of his power the King gave him a Musoga girl called Malookuvaayo and this was Lumanyika’s first wife thus the mother of Mukasa Kiriwawanvu.

They moved from karyankolo in Ssingo County to Nakasawula also in Ssingo where Mukasa was born. At the age of about twelve, Mukasa was taken to his uncle mugulandiga, by then the deputy county chief of Ssingo. He was deputy to Kawulukusi Muwemba also of the same clan.

It was Muwemba who took him to the palace of king Muteesa 1 to serve as a page at the age of 16. The boy was of exceptional strength an dheight. He like is father, was a very good wrestler though he was still young. He was in charge of serving food to th visitors and his fellow pages.

While at the palace, Mukasa was attracted to the good behavior of the Catholics particularly of his two masters, Joseph Mukasa and Charles Lwanga.

One day, while splitting firewood, Gyaviira called him Magulumpaali (long-legged). Mukasa beat up Gyaviira and was taken to Kimbale prison near the palace without trial. When the Christian persecution broke out, the two met and forge each other and were burnt together at Namugongo on Thursday June 3rd 1886.

Mukasa is the only martyr who received the baptism of blood.

Mukasa is the patron of hotels bars and restaurants.