Religiosity, Indigenous Contributions and Martyrdom Misconstructions in the Growth Process of Christianity in Uganda

Abstract

The entry of Christianity into Uganda to liberate mankind from thorny cultural life challenges
was initiated by Kabaka Mutesa 1. Since the 19th century, Christianity has had colourful
influences on indigenous communities, including, art, politics, family life, music, business, and
the way people express their cultural thoughts. In Uganda, missionaries presented white
culture Christianity that demonised the religiosity of indigenous people. They perceived black
culture as primitive and religiosity of indigenous people as an empty page that had no
historical encounter with the divine. This was a misconception; Ugandans were creative and
well informed in all life spheres. Organized cultural and political systems that provided fertile
ground for seeds of Christianity to germinate and flourish were already in place. Missionaries
were God-sent to complement on the Garden of Eden and the Tower of Babel instituted cultural
artistic works that were oscillating and had been spinning for generations. The primary seeds
of Christianity germinated and had a great impact on the Ugandan society. However,
indigenous people were reflected in literary works and reports as consumers of missionary
programmes but not co-partners in the propagation process. Other than Kabaka Mutesa 1, the
voices of the parliamentarians are non-existent in European missionary literary works.
Indigenous people contributed their time and skills as: guides, casual labourers, hosts,
interpreters, translators, providers of meals, land donors, vernacular teachers, producers of
raw materials, and consumers of imported exotic products, but their faces are not reflected in
the missionary success documented works. In the process of Christianity propagation,
martyrdoms were registered. The deadly scenarios were attributed to the brutal leadership of
the young king, Mwanga. However, scanning through the events that surrounded martyrdoms,
it is conclusive that missionaries propelled the massacres due to their inability to immerse
themselves in the host culture and understand indigenous social traditions.