'Jinja Catholic Diocese ready to host Martyrs Day celebrations'

Jinja Catholic Diocese is ready to host this year's Martyrs Day celebrations, Bishop Martin Wamika has said.

Jinja Diocese Bishop Wamika made the revelations during a preparation Mass organised by the Ecclesiastical Province of Tororo at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo in Wakiso district on Sunday (March 12).

Office of the Prime Minister (General Duties), Justine Kasule Lumumba (Middle) cut cake with bishops; bishop of Kotido diocese Dominic Eibu (3rd on left), Bishop of Soroti Diocese Joseph Oliach Eciru (4th from Left), bishop of Jinja Martin Wamika (5th), Archbishop of Tororo Emmanuel Obbo and others after preparation for Uganda Martyrs as Ecclesiastical Province of Tororo at Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Sunday March 12, 2023.

Wamika thanked the spirit being portrayed by the Tororo ecclesiastical Province for giving them a hand as Jinja prepares for the day.

Archbishop of Tororo Emmanuel Obbo hands over the portrait of Divine Mercy to members from Tororo Archdiocese who bought it at sh2m after the mass.

Members of the organising committee

Organising committee chairperson Paul Baliraine Mugaju said apart from the central organising committee at the Catholic Secretariat in Kampala, the central committee in Jinja is led by Wamika.

Bishop of Soroti Diocese Joseph Oliach Eciru (left) with a priest displaying a portrait of Uganda Martyrs after mass for preparation for Uganda Martyrs as Ecclesiastical Province of Tororo at Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Sunday March 12, 2023.

“Bishop Wamika after careful consultation appointed different people, priests and lay Christians including Justine Kasule Lumumba (finance and patron of the central organizing committee and chief organiser), Msgr Paul Musana (publicity), Chancellor Fr Paul Okello Wandera (protocol), Owek Dr Joseph Muvawala (chief organiser), Osthman Ahmed Noor, H.E Hon. Dr Specioza Wandera Kazibwe, counsel Elias Habaurama and Hon. Proscovia Salaamu Musumba," Mugaju said.

Bishop of Soroti Diocese Joseph Oliach Eciru and Archbishop of Tororo, Emmanuel Obbo in a mass for preparation for Uganda Martyrs as Ecclesiastical Province of Tororo at Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Sunday March 12, 2023.

Others are Veronica Babirye Kadogo, Zeviriyo Bageya Waiawa, Alton Kasolo Okotcha, Eng. Jude Kyobe Inhensiko, Alex Kintu Brandon, Mary Anne Nakato, Iddi Isabirye, Agnes Taaka Wejuli, Peter Mugema, Fred Bwino Kyakulanga and many others.

Office of the Prime Minister (General Duties) Justine Kasule Lumumba addressing the congregation after the mass for preparation for Uganda Martyrs as Ecclesiastical Province of Tororo at Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Sunday March 12, 2023.

Mugaju thanked the Catholic Secretariat for the guidance and political leaders who accepted to join them in the preparations for the day. 

Choir members singing during the mass at Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Sunday March 12, 2023.