Martyrs' Choral Festival 2025 grand finale - As it happened

The Martyrs' choral festival 2025 grand finale offered a worthy grand finale, which brought a joyful mixture of vocals and performance.

St Charles Lwanga Lubaga Cathedral, winners of the catholic category Martyrs' choral festival 2025, posing for a group photo with prime minister emeritus, Amama Mbabazi. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
By Admin .
Journalists @New Vision
#National Martyrs' Choral Festival #Vision Group #Uganda Martyrs' #Kampala Serena Conference Centre #Music

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Presented and edited by Derrick Otim
(Updates from Vision Group reporters)

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8:16 pm

It is now all over. The choristers are celebrating their win. Msgr Larry Ssemusu has delivered the final blessing.

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8:14 pm

Anglican Category

1st Position - Morning Glory Choir from St Apollo Kivebulaaya Anglican Church Entebbe



2nd position - Rwenzori Diocese Kampala Fellowship Choir



3rd position - Shepherd's Choir of St Augustine Anglican Church, Lira




Catholic Category

First position - St Charles Lwanga Lubaga Cathedral Choir

(Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

(Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)



2nd position - Our Lady Seat of Wisdom SSS Kasawo



3rd Position -  All Saints Choir from Arua
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8:02 pm

Prizes are being awarded

Best Soloist  - Bill Kevin - Rwenzori Diocese Kampala Fellowship Choir

Best Folk Traditional song - St Charles Lwanga, Lubaga Cathedral Choir

Best conductor  - Namukalazi - Seat of Wisdom SSS Kasawo

Best dressed choir - St Charles Lwanga Lubaga Cathedral Choir

Best original composition  - Morning Glory

Best set piece - Morning Glory Choir from St Apollo Kivebulaaya Anglican Church, Entebbe.

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7:15 pm

Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi joined by other guests for a group photo.

(Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

(Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)



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6:58 pm

Amama Mbabazi 

Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Amama Mbabazi, sharing remarks.

(Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

(Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)



Watch👇


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6:45 PM

Rwenzori Diocese Kampala, Kabarole Fellowship.

(Photo by Maria Wamala)

(Photo by Maria Wamala)



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6:27 pm

Shepherd Choir from Lira



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6:07 pm

All Saints Choir Arua, Christ the King



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5:47 pm

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom



From the scenic hills of Mukono, this vibrant school choir blends youthful energy with deep-rooted Catholic tradition. Formed at a faith-based institution, they sing not just to perform, but to worship, witness, and inspire. Backed by years of diocesan and inter-diocesan triumphs, these teens carry the spirit of their school and the heart of their parish in every harmony.





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5:32 pm

Morning Glory Choir St Apollo Kivebulaya Entebbe



(Photo by Maria Wamala)

(Photo by Maria Wamala)


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5:17 pm

St Charles Lwanga,  Lubaga Cathedral Choir



With roots dating back to 1990, this powerhouse blends tradition, talent, and purpose, turning every note into a message of faith. Let the cathedral walls resound with glory!



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5:09 pm

Rwenzori Diocese Kabarole Fellowship presenting



Rwenzori Diocese Kabarole Fellowship Choir is lighting up the Grand Finale stage with an original composition! Their harmonies are not just music — they’re a heartfelt tribute to faith and heritage.



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5:07 pm

Shepherds Choir St Augustine's Church, Baragole, Lira presenting



(Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

(Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)


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4:44 pm

Gervase Ndyanabo, Deputy Managing Director, Vision Group, in his remarks at the grand finale:

“I want to warmly welcome everyone who has participated in organising this festival. We were here last year, and now we're back again for the second season. But most importantly, dear friends — this is about honouring the Uganda Martyrs.”

Gervase Ndyanabo, Deputy Managing Director, Vision Group. (Photo by Maria Wamala)

Gervase Ndyanabo, Deputy Managing Director, Vision Group. (Photo by Maria Wamala)



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Presentation from last year's winners

We have just had a presentation from Afri-Chorus, the choir that won last year, in the Anglican category.



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The semi-finals are done.

We get into the real finals shortly.

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Rwenzori Diocese Katumba Fellowship Choir is on stage with a folk song





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St Charles Lwanga choir presenting





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Shepherd Choir of St Augustine choir presenting





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Our Lady Seat of Wisdom SSS Kasawo presenting

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom SSS Kasawo is on stage with a folk-song. It is the only students' ensemble in the festival, the reason why it is attracting enormous attention.




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Big arrivals in attendance

Former premier Patrick Amama Mbabazi and Irene Kawuma, undersecretary, office of the First Lady, are in attendance.

Former premier Amama Mbabazi.

Former premier Amama Mbabazi.


Irene Kauma (second left), undersecretary, office of the First Lady.

Irene Kauma (second left), undersecretary, office of the First Lady.



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The jugdes are aslo set

The judges who bring years of experience in music performance will be tasked with choosing the best choir today.


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The Stage is set

The stage looks glittering with beautiful designs that befit the Martyrs' choral festival.



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GRAND FINALE

MARTYRS' CHORAL FESTIVAL 2025

📍 KAMPALA SERENA CONFERENCE CENTRE

Hello everyone, and welcome to our live coverage of the Martyrs' Choral Festival Grand Finale happening at Kampala Serena Conference Centre in Kampala now. Six choirs will battle it out today, but there will be one ultimate winner.

The finalists are: St Charles Lwanga Lubaga Cathedral Choir, All Saints Choir, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom SS Kasawo Choir, The Shepherd Choir, Morning Glory Choir, Rwenzori Diocese Kampala Fellowship Choir.