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Matiya Mulumba

Matiya Mulumba was a Ugandan Catholic who became one of the Martyrs of Uganda. He is remembered for his profound faith and suffering, having been skinned alive and left to die. Mulumba was later beatified and canonized by the Catholic Church.

Feast Day
May 30
Country Or Region
Uganda

Key Facts

  • Matiya Mulumba was born in Bunya county in Busoga, Uganda.
  • He converted to Catholicism on may 31, 1880, and was baptized by Pere Ludovic Girault.
  • Mulumba was arrested and condemned to death while building Kabaka Mwanga's palace.
  • He was skinned alive and left to die, undergoing extreme pain.
  • Pope Benedict XV beatified him in 1920, and Pope Paul VI canonized him on October 18, 1964.
  • He died around may 30, 1886, in his 50s.
Also Known As

Matthias Murumba Kalemba

Death Year
1886
Manner of Death
Skinned alive
Venerated In
Role Type
Canonized By
Pope Paul VI
Canonization Year
1964
Beatified By
Pope Benedict XV
Beatification Year
1920

About Matiya Mulumba

Matiya Mulumba, also known as Matthias Murumba Kalemba, was a Ugandan Catholic who became one of the Martyrs of Uganda. He lived from approximately 1836 until his death on May 30, 1886, at the age of 50-something.

Early Life and Conversion

Matiya was born in Bunya county in Busoga and was adopted by Fr. Magatto. After Magatto's death, he stayed with Magatto's brother, Buzibwa. His spiritual journey included an initial conversion to Islam before he became a Catholic catechumen on May 31, 1880. He was baptized by Pere Ludovic Girault at his home in Mityana.

Martyrdom

Mulumba's death was a result of his religious conviction and the political climate of the time. He was arrested, imprisoned, and condemned to death by Mukasa, the Chancellor (Katikiro), while working on Kabaka Mwanga's palace, which had been burnt on February 22, 1886. He was taken to Old Kampala, where he was skinned alive and left to die. Another prominent martyr, Charles Lwanga, was taken to Namugongo.

Veneration

Matiya Mulumba's profound suffering and faith led to his veneration. Pope Benedict XV beatified him in 1920, and he was later canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964, officially recognizing him as Saint Matiya Mulumba.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Matiya Mulumba?

Matiya Mulumba, also known as Matthias Murumba Kalemba, was a Ugandan Catholic who lived from approximately 1836 to 1886. He is remembered as one of the Martyrs of Uganda.

What happened to Matiya Mulumba?

Matiya Mulumba was arrested and condemned to death. He underwent excruciating pain, being skinned alive and left to die around May 30, 1886.

When was Matiya Mulumba canonized?

Matiya Mulumba was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 and canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964.

What was Matiya Mulumba's religious journey?

Matiya Mulumba was born in Busoga and was adopted by Fr. Magatto. He initially converted to Islam but later became a Catholic catechumen on May 31, 1880, and was baptized.