African Holocaust

Book excerpt: African Holocaust, which was first published in 1962, tells the extraordinary story of how and why a group of 22 Catholic converts to Christianity in the historical kingdom of Buganda (now part of Uganda) were executed between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887. These “Uganda Martyrs” were killed on orders of Mwanga II, the Kabaka (King) of Buganda, at a time of a three-way religious struggle for political influence at the Buganda royal court. The episode also occurred against the backdrop of the “Scramble for Africa”—the invasion, occupation, division, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers. A fascinating read.