In Boston, Mayiga defends Martyrs-slayer King Mwanga: ‘He was only enforcing the law’

Such attacks on the late monarch, Mayiga said, indicate a lack of understanding of the history of Buganda by some Christians. He added that the kingdom would not tolerate being disparaged like that by the Christina faith.

“There’s many who talk about (King) Mwanga, who don't keenly look at the history,” said Mayiga.

“They condemn him and insult him for killing the Martyrs which we cannot accept.”

Mayiga was addressing Ugandans living in the USA who were celebrating a belated Uganda Martyrs mass at St Mary’s Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mayiga told the congregation that the burning alive of the young Christians was not necessarily aimed at stopping Christianity, but a King’s reaction to disobedience.

“I don't think that killing the Martyrs was all about stopping religion. It was about upholding and enforcing the laws of the time,” explained the Premier.

“You should know that during that time, whoever disobeyed the king was killed; that is what it was. But also, the martyrs were not only disobeying the king but were also seen as defectors who crossed to the camp of those who had come to finish off Buganda.”

Nevertheless, Mayiga hailed the courage of the young Christians and called upon the modern day followers of Christ to follow in their path.

The mass was presided over by Kampala Archbishop Paul Semogerere, who in his sermon, appealed to Christians to be united.

“We need to fight against all factors that cause divisions amongst us and walk together as followers of Christ like the Martyrs who stood together up to their death,” he said.