Martyrs awareness campaign still on

By Juliet Lukwago

KAMPALA - The Uganda Catholic Episcopal Conference is proceeding with its Uganda Martyrs awareness campaign despite the postponement of the canonization celebrations which had been scheduled for October 18. 

The awareness team (described in Luganda, a local dialect, as ‘ekikungo ky’Abajulizi'), is still visiting parishes in dioceses to interest Christians about the 22 Catholic Martyrs.

On Saturday, Msgr John Wynand Katende asked Christians to use the Martyrs as their models in their faith. The ceremony was at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo.

Katende was sensitising hundreds of Christians from Our Lady of Africa Mbuya Parish about the on-going campaign.

The drive is aimed at popularizing the 22 Uganda Martyrs as the Church prepares to mark their (martyrs’) Golden Jubilee of their canonization.

He said that it was important for people to renew their faith in remembrance of the Martyrs who were burnt because of their faith.

Katende noted that over the years, Uganda has experienced devastating effects of climate change such as extreme weather patterns, leading to prolonged drought and flooding.

He said climate change is one of Uganda’s most pressing challenges that calls for efforts on how to educate the public about it.