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Arrival of British missionaries to Uganda – Church Missionary Society

British Protestant missionaries of the Church Missionary Society arrived in Uganda from 1877. This initiated a period of European competition between rival missionary factions.

Alexander Mackay

Source: Alexina Mackay, AM Mackay: Pioneer Missionary of the Church Missionary Society Uganda, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Alexander Murdoch Mackay was one of the earliest missionaries to arrive in Uganda. He documented his experiences and candidly expressed his observations. In one passage he recalled:

“You would somtimes be amused to hear the high idea entertained by the king and people about their own country. It is only natural however. Not long ago Mtesa said to me: ‘Mackay, when I become friends with England, God in heaven will be witness that England will not come to make war on Uganda, nor go to make war on England! And when I go to England,’ he continued, ‘I shall take greatness and glory with me, and shall bring greatness and glory back again. Every one will say, “Oh, Mtesa is coming!” when I reach England, and when I return ,”Oh, Mtesa is coming back again!” ‘

“Of course, at such statements I only look very grave, and say, ‘Just so, exactly.’ At present (do not laugh) Mtesa really believes that Uganda is the most powerful country in the world. Though he fears Egypt, he has often spoken of going to fight against Col. Gordon. I have had some stiff arguments with him on this point. You will understand that in such matters I must be very careful. A king that is used to nothing but flattery from his courtiers, whose lives he can take at any moment if they do anything other than flatter him, is no ordinary individual to speak plainly to. One needs a smooth tongue when speaking to him. I do not mean to say that I am afraid of him, but there is no use giving offence. And yet the truth can be told, although not in just so many words. In sacred matters, however, I do very differently. In teaching the relations between man and God, I make no mincing of matters. When I have to say what goes hard against heathen custom and pride and love of self, I give my message, saying, it is not mine, but God’s command.”

Source: A. M. Mackay, ‘Uganda, Nov., 1878’, in Mackay, J. W. H. AM Mackay: Pioneer Missionary of the Church Missionary Society Uganda. Routledge, 2013., p. 101-2

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