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 Alexander M. Mackay (1849-1890) was a pioneer engineer-missionary
to Uganda. Arrived in Zanzibar in 1876; he reached Uganda in
1878. Built 230 miles of road to Uganda from the coast. Translated
Matthew's Gospel into Luganda. Died in 1890 having spent fourteen
years in Africa without once returning home to native Scotland. |
| 1849 | Born at Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland (October 13th) |
| 1859 | Sir Roderick Murchison surprised at his skill in drawing. |
| 1864 | Entered the grammar school at Aberdeen. |
| 1865 | His mother died. |
| 1867 | Entered the Free Church Training School for Teachers, in Edinburgh. |
| 1869 | Enrolled in Edinburgh University. |
| 1870-72 | Studied engineering and mechanics, and taught. |
| 1873 | Left Scotland for Moabit (now part of Berlin), Germany, where he worked as a draftsman for an engineering company. (November 1st) |
| 1874 | Dedicated his life to Christian service. |
| 1875 | The Daily Telegraph published Stanley's famous letter "challenging Christendom to send missionaries to Uganda:" Mackay offered his services as a missionary to the Church Missionary Society. |
| 1876 | Two offers for foreign mission work in Africa recieved on same day. (January 26th) |
| 1876 | Sailed on S.S. Peshawur from Southampton, England (April 27th). |
| 1876 | Arrived at Zanzibar on way to Uganda. (May 30th) |
| 1877 | Built 230 mile road through the jungle from Sadani on the coast to Mpwapa, in about 100 days with native laborers. |
| 1878 | Reached Victoria Nyanza. (June 13th) |
| 1878 | Arrived in Uganda. (November) |
| 1879 | On Sunday, he held service in the court, and the king interpreted to those assembled. (January 26th) |
| 1881 | Rev. P. O'Flaherty arrived to help in the work. (March) |
| 1883 | Further reinforcements arrived, including the Rev. R. P. Ashe. (May) |
| 1884 | M'tsea (also spelled Mtsea or Mutesa), King of Uganda dies (October); his son M'wanga becomes king and persecutes and kills many Christians. |
| 1887 | Mackay driven out of Uganda. |
| 1888 | King M'wanga overthrown by a revolt; succeeded by Kiwewa, an older son of M'tsea. |
| 1889 | Mackay helps M'wanga, who has professed faith in Christ, to recover the throne. |
| 1890 | Mackay died of malarial fever at Usambiro, Uganda, after 14 years in Africa (February 8th) |
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