Collections of SaintsLeader of the young pages at the Buganda court. His newly received faith became a source of strength for accompanying others through persecution at Namugongo.
Explore at your pace, or play the story to move between chapters every 12 seconds.
Charles came from the Baganda people in the Buddu region. His setting was the kingdom of Buganda, before modern Uganda existed. At Kabaka Mwanga II’s court he led pages serving in the audience hall. That role placed other young people in his care, beyond his own daily duties.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoRead in context ↓Christian communities grew through teaching, encounters and local believers’ witness. Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe was an important figure at court. After Joseph was killed on 15 November 1885, Charles received baptism that same day. His decision took place amid real danger, rather than a secure setting or an effortless journey.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoUganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoRead in context ↓As persecution intensified, Charles did more than hold to his own belief. The shrine records his baptism of younger pages, including Kizito and Mugagga Lubowa, on 26 May 1886. Their stories highlight accompaniment: a leader can help more vulnerable people find courage and a sense of belonging.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoRead in context ↓Christians were taken to Namugongo and held before execution. Charles was separated from the group and killed by burning on 3 June 1886. This event is told without graphic scenes. The Church remembers their fidelity and courage, rather than treating suffering as a spectacle or a goal to pursue.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoUganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoRead in context ↓The martyrs were beatified in 1920, and Paul VI canonized the 22 Catholic martyrs on 18 October 1964. Their commemoration made African believers’ witness visible within the worldwide Church. During his 2015 visit, Pope Francis emphasized faith received, lived, and then passed on to other people.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoHoly See Press OfficeUganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoRead in context ↓
Uganda Martyrs Basilica at Namugongo, photographed in 2024. The building stands at Charles Lwanga’s martyrdom site.
Lebu Ayiga · CC0 · Photo source · 19 July 2024 · Resized and converted to WebP. The source license continues to apply.Namugongo Basilica stands at the site associated with Charles’s martyrdom. Its custodian reports a bone fragment in glass at the front of the mahogany altar. This is a custodial attribution, not our biological examination. Architectural photographs introduce the setting; they do not establish the identity of the relic inside.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoUganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoRead in context ↓Charles came from the Baganda people in the Buddu region. His setting was the kingdom of Buganda, before modern Uganda existed. At Kabaka Mwanga II’s court he led pages serving in the audience hall. That role placed other young people in his care, beyond his own daily duties.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoChristian communities grew through teaching, encounters and local believers’ witness. Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe was an important figure at court. After Joseph was killed on 15 November 1885, Charles received baptism that same day. His decision took place amid real danger, rather than a secure setting or an effortless journey.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoUganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoAs persecution intensified, Charles did more than hold to his own belief. The shrine records his baptism of younger pages, including Kizito and Mugagga Lubowa, on 26 May 1886. Their stories highlight accompaniment: a leader can help more vulnerable people find courage and a sense of belonging.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoChristians were taken to Namugongo and held before execution. Charles was separated from the group and killed by burning on 3 June 1886. This event is told without graphic scenes. The Church remembers their fidelity and courage, rather than treating suffering as a spectacle or a goal to pursue.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoUganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoThe martyrs were beatified in 1920, and Paul VI canonized the 22 Catholic martyrs on 18 October 1964. Their commemoration made African believers’ witness visible within the worldwide Church. During his 2015 visit, Pope Francis emphasized faith received, lived, and then passed on to other people.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoHoly See Press OfficeUganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoNamugongo Basilica stands at the site associated with Charles’s martyrdom. Its custodian reports a bone fragment in glass at the front of the mahogany altar. This is a custodial attribution, not our biological examination. Architectural photographs introduce the setting; they do not establish the identity of the relic inside.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoUganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoWho needs your support when under pressure? Courage can begin with staying beside someone, listening, and defending another person’s dignity.
Born around 1860/1861 in Buddu, Buganda.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo15 November: baptized; Joseph Mukasa was killed that same day.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoUganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo26 May: baptized several younger pages before their martyrdom.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo3 June: died as a martyr at Namugongo.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo6 June: the martyrs’ beatification; a local pilgrimage prompted development of the site.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo18 October: Paul VI canonized Charles and 21 other Catholic martyrs.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine NamugongoCardinal Nsubuga initiated the project for the present shrine monument.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo28 November: Pope Francis celebrated Mass at Namugongo.
Holy See Press OfficeThe shrine gives 1861 as his birth year; other biographies use about 1860. His birth is therefore shown approximately. The 22 Catholic martyrs of 1885–1887 are distinct from two catechists killed in 1918. Anglican martyrs are also remembered; their community identities are not merged into one canonization list.
Uganda Martyrs Basilica at Namugongo, photographed in 2024. The building stands at Charles Lwanga’s martyrdom site.
Lebu Ayiga · CC0 · Photo source · 19 July 2024 · Resized and converted to WebP. The source license continues to apply.A basilica at the site of Charles Lwanga’s martyrdom. Its custodian identifies a bone fragment in glass at the front of the mahogany altar; the site also commemorates the Uganda martyrs.
Sources checked: 4 October 2026
View placeSources checked: 4 October 2026
c. 1181/1182–1226From a merchant family to a simpler life. Francis formed a fraternity centred on the Gospel.
Read the story
1193–1253Clare chose poverty and community with the sisters at San Damiano. She defended their way of life with determination.
Read the story
c. 1195–1231Born in Lisbon as Fernando, Anthony became a Franciscan teacher and preacher who worked in Italy and France.
Read the story