St. Achilleus Kewanuka

Feastday: June 3
Patron: of Clerks, the press, journalists and writers
Birth: 1869
Death: 1886

One of the Martyrs of Uganda, with Charles Lwanga. Achilleus served King Mwanga of Uganda. A convert to the faith who was taught by the White Fathers, Achilleus was martyred in June 1886--he was burned alive with his companions. These martyrs were canonized in 1964.

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Achilleus Kiwanuka, also known as Achileo Kiwanuka or Achilles Kiwanuka (1869 – June 3, 1886), was a Ugandan Catholic martyr revered as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Life

He was born in Ssingo County and was a member of the Muganda tribe. He served as a page of audience hall in the court of King Mwanga II of Buganda, and converted to the Christian faith under the missionary group known as the White Fathers.

Kiwanuka was burned alive for his faith on June 3, 1886; he and his companions became known as the Martyrs of Uganda. They were canonized as saints in 1964 by Pope Paul VI. Kiwanuka's feast day is celebrated on June 3.