The symbols that coloured Martyr’s Day

Despite the scientific manner in which they were conducted, this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine were as colourful as ever. 

The function’s spectacle was probably most boosted by the symbolic elements that characterized it. 

So, what were the most outstanding symbolic elements? What messages did they carry? Mathias Mazinga brings you some of the prominent symbols and their meaning.

The Basilica

The Uganda Martyrs Minor Basilica is one of the concrete features that magnified the spectacle of Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine on Martyrs Day. 

Built at the exact spot where St Charles Lwanga was killed, the Basilica oozes the traditional architecture of an African hut, which makes it a great marvel. 

The architecture is symbolic of the native African background of the Uganda Martyrs (who were killed on the orders of King Mwanga of Buganda between 1885 and 1887). 

The circular pavilion in the man-made lake where the bishops and priests sat, also embodies the same architecture and symbolism.

The Cross-bearer 

The liturgical procession was led by a cross-bearer wearing a white burnoose (hooded cape) over a white gandoura. 

He symbolized the White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa), the pioneer Catholic Missionaries who introduced the Catholic faith in Uganda (1879), whose habit (a white gandoura and burnoose) resembled the traditional dressing worn in North Africa (Algeria) where their congregation was founded.

The barkcloth attire

In the procession were 22 major seminarians donning a bark cloth over their white cassock, and also, holding palm leaves. They symbolized the Uganda Martyrs, whose native dress was the barkcloth.

Priests with boxes

In the procession were also three priests, each holding a small box. The boxes contained the relics of the Uganda Martyrs; St Charles Lwanga, St Mathias Mulumba and, Blessed Daudi Okello and Gildo Irwa (the two teenage Acholi Catechists that were killed in Northern Uganda in 1918).

The Red Colour

The bishops and priests wore red chasubles. The female members of the Masaka Diocese Namugongo 2021 choir also wore red Busuutis. 

The shrine was also dominantly decorated in red. The red colour symbolized martyrdom; the blood of the Uganda Martyrs that was shed at the shrine.