Karoli Lwanga was a 19th-century catechist from the Kingdom of Buganda, located in modern Uganda. Serving as a chief page and majordomo in the royal court, he converted to Catholicism in 1885. He is remembered for protecting the young pages under his care from the sexual advances of King Mwanga II. Due to his refusal to renounce his faith, he was executed alongside many of his companions in 1886, becoming one of the Uganda Martyrs.
Life and death
While serving the royal court, Lwanga took on the duties of a catechist following the death of Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe. He and several other pages were eventually targeted by King Mwanga II, who feared the influence of Christian converts on his authority. In June 1886, Lwanga and nineteen others were executed at Namugongo, where they were burnt alive for their religious fidelity.
Veneration
Lwanga was canonized as a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1964. He is honored within the Catholic Church as well as the Anglican Communion. His memory is preserved at the Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs, built at the site of his death. Additionally, the Brothers of St. Charles Lwanga Senior were established in 1927 to provide education to disadvantaged youth in Uganda.