Thousands of people throng Namugongo Martyrs Shrines in commemoration of the celebration of the Feast Day to the Uganda Martyrs 2022 who were executed between 1885 to 1887 with orders from the by then the notorious King of Buganda Kabaka Muwanga II. These were a group of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts to Christianity in the historical kingdom of Buganda, now part of Uganda.
This Martyrs’ Day commemoration was the first huge gathering at Namugongo since the coronavirus pandemic two years ago with the last two both held scientific in nature.
The Greater Ankole diocese led the celebrations at the Anglican site, Archbishop Ste[hen Kazimba Mugalu implored Christians to let the faith of the Martyrs lead them to a special commitment to the Lord who can never forsake them.
Amongst the diginitaries that attended this celebration included Vice President Jessica Alupo, Minister Rebecca Kadaga, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayhebwa, Amama Mbabazi, Jim Muheezi, Hon Jimmy Akena amongst many.
On the other side of the Catholic Shrine, Fortportal led the celebrations of this year’s event with The Right Reverend Robert K. Muhiirwa giving remarkable homly.
By the end of the event oldest and youngest foot pilgrims were awarded Certificates and token worth USD1,000 each for their great faith during the Uganda Martyrs days Celebrations at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine by Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja.
Castigation against social injustices like rape and early child pregnancies topped this year’s Martyrs day celebration message at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine with both preachers condemning the rising act of the same vice.These were said to have resulted from the effects of the COVID19 pandemic that has left many financially, spiritually and physiologically weakened.
In his Martyrs Day 2022 speech delivered by VP Jessca Alupo & PM Robinah Nabanjja in both Anglican and Catholic Shrines respectively, President Yoweri Museveni gave a historical account of the death of the Uganda Martyrs saying, “Their fortitude and endurance continue to win souls for the Kingdom of God…the NRM has been calling on Ugandans to use their talents to get out of poverty through zero grazing, growing coffee or even rearing pigs…Mwanga should never have used violence to oppose these new ideas (selflessness and castigating atheism) for the betterment of society and human race…”
“Thousands attended the event including King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru II of Toro Kingdom, Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, series of Members of Parliaments, delegates from across Africa and world over.
These young people and some aged Ugandans resisted the ignorance and corruption of Kabaka Mwanga, who was fighting new ideas about God…Once heads are cut, they don’t grow again. Mwanga’s violence failed to stop the growth of Christianity and the Muslim faith.” Museveni added.
Our Campusa correspondences later on observed Stampede at the catholic shrine as pilgrims scramble for ‘holy’ water from Martyrs lake. “You want to kill us because of water. If so, then we are ready to die as the martyrs did. We want water,” an old woman shouted back in the face of a fierce-looking red top military police officer. Meanwhile on the Anglican site, many pilgrims were seen taking a visibly dirty water from the gazzeted construction site since there is an on-going state of the Art construction.
During his speech, His Grace Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere acknowledged the demise of some pilgrims who was participating on the pilgrimage “We have heard about pilgrims who passed on, some due to accidents and others due to natural causes, we condole with their families and pray that the Uganda martyrs will intercede for them “
Our lenses also captured tight security scrutiny for anyone accessing the venues with Join Security teams from both Uganda Police and Uganda Peoples Defense Force having the day at hands, despite few petty crimes, there has been reported decline in crimes in this year’s Martyrs day celebrations.
Happy Martyrs Day 2022
