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Nebbi Catholic Diocese has been selected to animate the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations in 2024 for which a sh1.3b budget has been drawn up. 

Addressing the congregation on Sunday in a prayer session to install and bless the Central Organising Committee (COC), the Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese, Raphael Wokorach, asked Christians to give generously towards the cause. 

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This will be the second time Nebbi Diocese will lead the prayers in Namugongo, 16 years after it led in 2007. 

“This is a joy for us and the entire diocese. It is from here that we are beginning to take the necessary steps and preparations to lead the spirituality in 202,” Wokorach said. 

Catherine Akumu Mavenjina, the MP for older persons in the northern region, who is also the executive member of the Uganda National Catholic Council of Lay Apostolate, was installed to head the organising committee together with other committee members. 

“We have made the draft budget and the committee understands what is required of them. The budget is on the higher side, but we believe with faith, it will be done,” Mavenjina said. 

Bishop Wokorach called on people from other religious denominations to join hands and support the efforts to fundraise and finance the budget. 

“The Catholic Church is universal and keeps the door open and everybody is welcome,” he said. 

Wokorach cited the challenge of distance from Nebbi to Namugongo but said the last experience as echoed by those who witnessed in 2007 still remains strong but comes with the stress of fundraising. 

“Our diocese is not close to the centre. Namugongo is about 450kms away from Nebbi,” he said. 

Wokorach said all will come to pass with the grace of God and that while preparations appear too early for some people, the move will help eliminate the stress of last-minute preparations.  

Mavenjina on behalf of the organising committee noted that there is a lot of work ahead of them. 

“Animating Namugongo is not an easy task. It is not only a national event but an international event with people who come from all corners of the world to visit,” she said. 

She asked the government to be fully involved with partner organisations and the Uganda Episcopal Conference alongside the national organising committee to manage the program. 

“When we combine forces and trust in God, we shall work hard and ensure all this succeeds,” Mavenjina said. 

She said despite the fact that Nebbi Diocese is cash-strapped, funds will be mobilised from neighbouring dioceses of Arua, Nebbi, Gulu and Lira. 

Christians of Nebbi Cathedral after attending church service on Sunday. (All Photos by Robert Ariaka)

“As a Member of Parliament, I will mobilise from colleagues to support the venture,” Mavenjina said. 

Over sh400,000 to open the account where contributions will be received was raised on Sunday. 

What Christians say 

Florence Drateru, a nurse at Nebbi Hospital said she has taken a long time without going to Namugongo. 

Drateru resolved to save sh1,000 daily for her trip Namugongo in 2024 and said she pledged sh100,000 to the church. 

“I will talk to friends within and abroad to support the Church,” she said. 

Drateru said she was pleased with the increased number of Christians who have joined the church compared to the previous years. 

Francis Andima said they are proud to lead the prayers next year and called on different chapels to extend their contributions to support the animation program. 

Teddy Makumenen from Zombo district said this will increase the faith of the Christians.  

“We are wishing for the best and I will contribute. If all goes well, I will be present,” Makumenen said. 

Created in 1996, Nebbi Catholic Diocese has a population of 549,118 according to Uganda Episcopal Conference.