Hundreds attend martyrs sensitization program at Kamwokya parish

By Juliet Lukwago                   

KAMPALA - Hundreds of Christians gathered at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish Church at Kamwokya on Friday to attend a sensitization session intended to popularize the Catholic Uganda martyrs.

Kampala Archdiocese launched the Uganda Martyrs sensitization campaign early this year with a view to revitalizing the Christians’ awareness of the 22 Uganda martyrs’ devotion to the Catholic Church and its teachings.

The martyrs, who were killed over a century ago, are said to have performed miracles through their intercession for those who believed in them.

Kamwokya parish became the 18th of the 60 parishes that form the Diocese of Kampala through which the on-going sensitization campaign is taking place.

The drive is, among other things, intended to prepare Christians for the marking of the Golden Jubilee that would be held in the later part of the 2014 since they were canonized in Rome.

Fr. Augustine Mpagi of Nandere Minor Seminary, who represented Kampala Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Kakooza, led the Friday Mass.

He called on the worshippers to emulate the martyrs by being good listeners to the teachings of the Church.

“As we prepare to celebrate their Golden Jubilee, it is time, as Christians, to emulate our brothers, the Uganda Martyrs who were killed because of their faith,” he said.

“Do not reply those who practice witchcrafts. It is appropriate for you to pray for them and guide them so that they desist all temptation and all sorts of bad behaviour,” preached the clergy man.

He was particularly critical of parents who call themselves Christians yet they resort to witchcraft in pursuit of things they desire.

Holy Trinity Catholic Parish Church at Kamwokya teemed with worshippers on Friday. PHOTO/Julier Lukwago

The congregation was told to emulate the Uganda martyrs who were killed because of their faith. PHOTO/Juliet Lukwago

Fr. Augustine Mpagi said witchcraft is satanic. PHOTO/Juliet Lukwago

Fr. Mpagi said the practice is “satanic” and that Christians involved in it should stop doing so.

“Imagine in this modern era of dot com there are still some parents who mislead their children by leading them to shrines instead of leading them to church and worship God.”

Fr. Joseph Mukasa-Muwonge, one of the promoters of the Uganda martyrs, said of how the 22 men are now recognized worldwide by the Church as being worthy of being honored to be saints.

The awareness team was led by assistant pastoral coordinator of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr. Joseph Ssebayigga and included Revocato Kalema who was born lame, but got cured through the intercession of the Uganda martyrs in 1961.

Former witch practitioner Dativa Nabukalu was also part of the team. He is popular for coming out to expose witchdoctors, saying they merely use tricks and lies that include changing voices as a way of conning unsuspecting desperate people.

The team  has so far covered Namayumba where the sensitization was launched, Kankobe, Kitakyusa, Namugongo, Nsambya, Ggoli, Lubaga, Mbuya, Matugga, Kibanga, Mpigi, Kigoowa, Wakiso, Nabbingo, Old-Kampala, Muduuma, Katende and now Kamwokya. 

42 parishes are left.