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WAKISO - It is a bee hive of activities at the Anglican Martyrs Shrine at Nakiyanja Namugongo as the six dioceses under the Ruwenzori Cluster pace towards final preparations to successfully animate the 2024 Uganda Martyrs’ Day Celebrations on June 3, 2024.

“We want to thank God for the far we have reached. We want to thank the people who have given us resources, locally from the cluster, even in Kampala where different companies and institutions have contributed, we appreciate so much,” Reuben Kisembo, the Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese and the chairperson of the cluster, said.

Kisembo said they moved around the place and prayed on top of sharing knowledge about the Uganda Martyrs. (All Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

This was during a press conference to update the media on the far they have gone in their preparations at the Anglican Shrine Namugongo on Wednesday (May 22, 2024).

“I want to inform the public that tomorrow (May 23, 2024) we shall have the conference for the children here at Namugongo and we want them to come early enough to celebrate with the rest of the people the cause of Uganda Martyrs. We have very good speakers that have been organised and there is free entrance for their children and caretakers,” Kisembo said.

Namugongo Uganda Martyrs Anglican Shrine is being cleaned and prepared ahead of Martyrs Day celebrations.

Kisembo said they will move around the place and have played on top of sharing knowledge about the Uganda Martyrs.

“Please send our children from the entire country to come and celebrate,” Kisembo said.

Kisembo was among others accompanied by bishops, Nason Baluku, George Turyasingura and Barnabus Tibaijuka from South Rwenzori Diocese (Kasese), East Rwenzori Diocese (Kamwenge) and West Rwenzori Diocese respectively.

The Amphitheatre at the Shire has the capacity to host over 40,000 people according to the holy site administration.

Others included; Rev. Canon Michael Wasswa, deputy principal of the Uganda Martyrs Seminary Namugongo, Caretaker Engineer of Namugongo, Enock Rukundo, and the other members of the organizing committee.

The Ruwenzori Cluster; is made up of Ruwenzori (Fort Portal), South Ruwenzori (Kasese), East Ruwenzori (Kamwenge), West Ruwenzori (Bundibugyo), Bunyoro Kitara and Masindi Kitara dioceses.

The cluster has since announced that they are preparing to host over one million people for the Martyrs Day celebrations.

Kisembo indicated that the extension of the pavilion at the Amphitheatre with 1000 more seaters has been completed and all the other necessary activities to ensure that the place is ready to host the faithful, were in the final stages.

The cluster offered to expand the pavilion as a legacy for animating the 2024 Martyrs Day celebrations.

The Amphitheatre at the Shire has the capacity to host over 40,000 people according to the holy site administration.

Preparations are in high gear at the Namugongo Uganda Martyrs Anglican Shrine as pilgrims start arriving.

The cluster has since announced that they are preparing to host over one million people for the Martyrs Day celebrations.

Towards June 3, every year, thousands of both Catholics and Protestant believers, from different parts of the country and outside the country, trek to Namugongo to pay pilgrimage to the 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts to Christianity who were executed between January 31, 1885 and January 27, 1887.



The site administration confirmed that by Wednesday, three pilgrims from West Lango Diocese had arrived in good health and spirit and that they were ready to offer their prayers.

According to Kisembo they have a projection of sh2.17b to successfully animate the day. President Yoweri Museveni at a recent State House meeting with religious leaders pledged sh1.5b support to the cause. However, by Wednesday, Kisembo had not yet been received.

Rev. Canon Mike Wasswa

He indicated that the budget was short of sh350m and that they were reaching out to companies, institutions, and well-wishers to contribute towards realizing their budget targets.

He added that on May 24, it will be a day for all the youth and that they will have youth conferences, talks, fun, among others.

“Then fathers’ Day, all Christian men will be here on May 29, 2024, so we call upon all men to be here and celebrate and have some topics and discussions,” he said.

Rt. Rev. George Turyasingura, the Bishop of East Ruwenzori Diocese also attended the press conference.

He revealed that on May 30-31, his mission and crusade to preach the gospel/evangelism.

“Then June 1, that will be the women’s event, Christian Women’s Fellowship and Mothers’ Union will be here. We call upon all the women to come and celebrate on their day. Of course, it will be a Sunday and some pilgrims will have arrived and the event will be wonderful,” he said.

Rt. Rev. Barnabas Tibayijuka, the Bishop of West Ruwenzori Diocese.

Kisembo rallied the general public to grace the Martyrs choral singing competition finals on May 31, 2024, at Kampala Serena Hotel.

The competition is organised by the Vision Group and sponsored by the Office of the First Lady, Equity Bank, and Crown Beverages to celebrate the diverse choral traditions of both the Catholic and Anglican communities and offer a captivating showcase of harmony and talent.

On the climax, June 3, Kisembo said that they expect President Museveni as the chief guest, and the guest preacher is the Archbishop of Nigeria Anglican Church, Henry Ndukuba.

Christine Akuru, a pilgrim from Loro in Oyam district is among a few pilgrims who have arrived at the Namugongo Uganda Martyrs Anglican Shrine for the Martyrs Day slated for June 3rd.

“So we call upon all people in this country to come and celebrate with us under the theme; “Confirm to the truth of God's word, not the patterns of the world (Romans 1:2),” he said.