Govt gives Church of Uganda sh2b for Martyrs Day celebrations

KAMPALA - The Government of Uganda has released money for this year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations at Namugongo.

The money is supposed to meet expenses by the three religious denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Church of Uganda (Anglican Church) and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), to organise activities for the Martyrs Day commemoration on June 3. 

The Muslims are slated to commemorate this day on June 10.

The Anglican Church on Thursday confirmed that they had been allocated sh2b out of a total budget of sh2.28b they recently submitted to the Government to support their activities.

The Church of Uganda Provincial treasurer, Balaam Muheebwa, said that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities had sent them information that the money had been processed and sent to their respective bank accounts.

He said this was a big relief since they were remaining with a few days until June 3. He, however, noted that they have a shortfall of sh280m.

Sources earlier on indicated that the cabinet had approved a total budget of sh5.668b to support this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations financially. 

The chairperson of the Northern Uganda cluster, the Right Rev. Godfrey Loum (C), on Wednesday told journalists at the Martyrs Museum that preparations were going well. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

The  Catholic Church, according to a source, was budgeted for sh2.477b, Anglican Church sh2.280b, although they finally got sh2b, while the  UMSC was given sh294m.

When contacted, the chairperson of the Uganda Muslim Martyrs Mosque Development Committee, Prof. Haji Badru Kateregga confirmed that he had received information that some money had been sent to their account, although he was still grounded in hospital following a domestic mishap.

“Yes, I have been told some little money was sent to us to organise our activities this year. I’m apparently on bed rest in a hospital facility because my doctors asked to take leave, but my colleagues are working together to ensure we organise some activities,” he said.

The Muslim will be commemorated on June 10 to avoid overlap with the celebration of the Christian Martyrs observed on June 3.

The spokesperson of Kampala Archdiocese's communications and publicity on the Martyrs Day preparations, Fr. Kutesa Mugagga, however, said by Thursday evening, they had not yet received information about the money releases. He, however, said that when it comes, it would be good news.

“We expect some funding from the government, but it is now news to me that the money has been released,” he said.

Lugazi diocese is leading the activities at the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo, while the Greater Northern Uganda cluster, consisting of six dioceses, is leading at the Anglican Site. The dioceses include Kitgum, Nebbi, Northern Uganda, Lango, West Lango and Madi-West Nile, with the theme, ‘Imitating God by doing good'.  

The chairperson of the Northern Uganda cluster, the Right Rev. Godfrey Loum, on Wednesday told journalists at the Martyrs Museum that preparations were going well.

He commended the government for providing security to the pilgrims at the Namugongo site. 

He explained that apart from providing the usual services, the organising committee at the Uganda Martyrs Anglican site planned to use the biggest percentage of the government funds for constructing a perimeter wall around the site and installing solar lamps as part of their signature project.

He said that because there was a delay in receiving the funds, they had in the meantime asked their service providers to go ahead with the activities and pledged to pay when they get the funds.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the guest of honour at the Anglican site, where the committee had invited several guests and submitted the list to the government, awaiting clearance.

The retired archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi, is slated to be the main preacher, while the archbishop, Dr. Kaziimba Mugalu, will lead the day’s service. 
Already, the bishop explained, prayers are going on at the Anglican site, with several intercessors on the ground to pray with whoever would need them.

On Saturday last week, he said, the site hosted the children’s conference on Friday, and they were looking forward to hosting the youths who would engage in various programs.

“The youth’s package is so friendly and important for every young person growing up in the footsteps of the martyrs, as well as believers in Jesus Christ,” he said.

According to the programme, on Saturday the Church will host the men’s conference and the following day on Sunday they will have a service for pilgrims who will have arrived, plus the community.

Bishop Loum said on Monday that they will host the women’s conference ahead of the D-day on June 03.