CrucisSt. Andrew Kaggwa
St. Andrew Kaggwa was one of the Martyrs of Uganda, a convert who rose to a position of trust at the court of King Mwanga II of Buganda as the leader of the royal band. A man of influence and firm faith, he was zealous in teaching the Christian religion to others and in preparing catechumens for baptism, which drew upon him the special anger of the king's chief minister.
When the persecution of 1886 began, Andrew was among the first to be seized. He was put to death on 26 May 1886, beheaded and his body dismembered, one of the earliest and most prominent of the martyrs because of his standing at court. He met death with the same steadfastness he had shown in spreading the faith. Canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964, he is celebrated among the Uganda Martyrs on 3 June.
Selected quotes
“Let the one who leads be first in courage when the hour of trial arrives.”
“Stand firm for Christ, and your steadfastness will give heart to many.”
“Teach others the faith you hold, for shared faith is faith multiplied.”