Namugongo facelift gets mobile money service boost

By Juliet Lukwago

The Catholic Church in Uganda has launched a mobile money platform through which christians and wellwishers can contribute to renovate Namugongo martyrs shrine ahead of the Golden Jubilee of Uganda Martyrs celebrations due October this year.

As preparations to celebrate 50 years since the late Pope Paul VI canonized and declared the 22 Catholic Martyrs saints at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome on October 18, 1964; Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga said:

“We have come out with a plan to redevelop, renovate and reconstruct the shrines at Namugongo, to renovate most of the structures and reconstruct new ones.”

The other facilities to be reconstructed include the modern toilet facilities that will also cater for the people with disabilities (PWD).

Archbishop Lwanga said that they estimate the work to cost sh20b.

In order to cater for pilgrims coming from all over the world and have nowhere to stay, two dormitories; one for ladies and the other for men each to accommodate as many as possible, will also be constructed with showers and washrooms and a cafeteria.

In order to fulfill the plans as drawn, Archbishop Lwanga called upon Christians and well-wishers to contribute atleast sh1000 every month towards this plan before the Golden Jubilee through MTN Mobile money.

To contribute, one can access the service by following these instructions:

MTN Services- Mobile money- pay bills- good and services then you type the amount of money you want to give, then click OK.

When prompted for reference (reason) type Namugongo Uganda Martyrs, put a code “NAMUGONGO” in capital letters, your secret security code for mobile money and confirm the money you wish to send to the project.

For those who do not access the system, type *185# and follow MENU for local dialect translation, or to visit Uganda Martyrs Guild website info@ugandamartyrsguild.org for more instructions.