A Muganda of Grey – rat clan (Kayozi). His father was Njubeseeta Nkulakito, not Mazinga as some take it to be. His mother was Kajwahya, a mutooro not Munyoro as it was believed.

Mukasa Balikuddembe was taked to King Muteesa 1’s palace and Major Domo of King Muteesa I and King Mwanga II.

Joseph Mukasa was the head of the Catholic Church in Uganda during the fight of the Catholic Missionaries in Tanganyika (Tanzania). During the absence of the Missionaries, the young church continued to grow.

At one occasion, a cobra of about five feet entered king Muteesa’s house and after failing to find a stick, Mukasa rushed to and strangled it his hands. The King from that time gave liberty to Christianity and named him Balikuddembe – the Christians are at peace to practice their religion.

Balikuddembe was killed and his body was burnt on Sunday November 15, 1885 at Nakivubo at the age of 20 years, He was the first Ugandan Catholic martyr.

Balikuddembe is the patron of politicians and chiefs.