| Saint Achilleus Kewanuka | |
|---|---|
Achilleus Kewanuka and his companions |
|
| Martyr | |
| Born | 1869 Buganda, Uganda |
| Died | June 3, 1886 Namugongo, Uganda |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1920 by Pope Benedict XV |
| Canonized | October 18, 1964 by Pope Paul VI |
| Major shrine | Basilica Church of the Uganda Martyrs, Namugongo |
| Feast | June 3 |
| Patronage | Clerks, the press, journalists and writers |
Saint Achilleus Kewanuka, also known as Achileo Kiwanuka or Achilles Kiwanuka (1869 - June 3, 1886), was a Ugandan Roman Catholic revered as a saint in his church. He served as a clerk in the court of King Mwanga II of Buganda, and converted to the Christian faith under the missionary group known as the White Fathers. Kewanuka 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. Kewanuka's feast day is celebrated on June 3.