Uganda Martyr Pontian Ngondwe

After serving Kabaka Muteesa for some years as a page, Ngondwe was drafted into the militia. Probably already interested in the Catholic religion, he found there a Christian named Cyprian Kamya, baptized with Kalemba and Baanabakintu that instructed him in the Catholic faith. At the beginning of the year 1886, Pontian Ngondwe was falsely accused of stealing a cow from the herd of Mukaajanga, the Chief Executioner.

The Chief Executioner’s head of herdsmen stole the fattest cow from Mukaajanga’s kraal and falsely accused Ngondwe of levying it as a tax collection, something that was contrary to the Kiganda customs and severely punishable. Ngondwe was arrested immediately and put into Kimbale prison without trial by Mukaajanga himself. Meanwhile the Christian persecution broke out when Ngondwe was still serving an indefinite prison sentence.

When he was being taken to Namugongo with fellow prisoner, Abdul Aziz Buliwadda, late in the evening, they met Mukaajanga who sought to find out who of the two prisoners was a Christian. Pontian Ngondwe confessed to being a Christian.

Then Mukaajanga staggered up to Pontian Ngondwe and drove his spear, into the heart of the gallant soldier who bravely stood to meet it. The first thrust did not kill him but it was the subsequent stab that ended the life of Ngondwe on that fateful Wednesday evening of 26th May 1886. Ngondwe died when he was between thirty-five and forty years of age.

See more on Uganda Martyrs Wikipedia

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