New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-26
THE MAMA gEgoLUTToY.

Tho recent revolution in Uganda makes
most interesting chapter OF religious proselyt-
ism The event was briefly and imperfectly
chronicled in dispatches from Zanzibar a few
weeks ago, but full details have been supplied
by the report Of missionary, the Rev. L. G.
Gordon, 10 the Church Missionary Society in
England. The downfall Of Mwanga, most
brutal and atrocious Of savage despots, was
effected by coalition Of Christian and Ma
h0metan converts. When the common enemy,
the King, was overthrow, the Arabs in
trigued against their religious rivals, estab-
lished their aScendancy in the new sovereign's
council, and expelled the Christians. The out
come Of these proceedings was the conversion
Of populous pagan region into Mahometan
State on the head-waters Of the Nile.
The narrative is as interesting as modern
realistic romance. Mwanga was an uncom-
promising pagan, who equally detested the
rival bodies Of religious reformers at work in
his dominion. After ordering general mas
sacre Of the Christians in 1886 and threatening
to expel the Arab readers from the shores Of
Victoria Nyanza, he nursed his wrath for two
years and then determined to destroy each re-
gious community in turn. He began opera
lions with an atrocious plot against his house
hold troops, which were Differed and controlled
by Christian converts. Marching with these
troops to the lake, he made arrangements for
their transportation TO an island, where they
were TO be left TO perish from starvation, their
canoes being stolen by carefully selected body
of unauthorized pagans. This outrage was
TO have been followed by an immediate assault
upon the Arab converts. These plots, which
were worthy Of Nero, Calgula, or other mon
aers of the Roman imperial line, were revealed
in the nick Of time to the Christian and Ma
hometan leaders. An alliance was formed,
the capital was occupied by forces led by con-
verts Of the rival faiths, and Mwanga was
driven from the throne.
The new King, Kiwewa, distributed the
Offices with an impartial hand among the
Christians and Mahometans, and opened his
reign with large promises of complete religious
federation. Permission was given for the cree
ton Of a mosque, and all restrictions on the
preaching Of Christianity were removed. For
several weeks tile congregations at the Sunday
mission services were trebled, and the infu-
ence of the Christian converts steadily in.
creased. Meanwhile, the Mahometan reform.
ers, alarmed by the progress made by their
rivals, were embttering the Kings mind and
inducing him TO believe that new revolution
was probable and his own life in danger. The
Christians were suddenly charged with insti-
gazing revolt and conspirng with Mwanga's
followers to place princess on the throne
The Arab intriguers bad their forces on the
ground and compelled their rivals to fight fol
their lives Several Christian leaders were
killed and a general retreat followed to the
mission-houses, which were speedily besieged
and sacked. The French priests and Prot
estant preachers sought refuge in mission
steamer, and were permitted to depart for the
south shore after receiving strict Injunction,
never to return to Uganda. Their voyage was
q most disastrous one, their boat being wrecked