Chairman of the Anglican dioceses of the eastern cluster, the Rt. George Samuel Bogere Egesa, has toured the newly-constructed amphitheatre at the Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site, Namugongo (in Wakiso district) and expressed his satisfaction with the unprecedented convenience and comfort the pilgrims will enjoy as they worship from it on Martyrs Day.

Bishop Samuel Bogere Egesa (wearing a purple cassock) briefs the press about the preparations of Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations. On his left is Justice James Ogoola, who chairs the publicity committee of the function. Photos by Mathias Mazinga

He toured the facility in company of the Chairman of the Publicity Committee of the Anglican celebration, Justice James Ogoola, and other stakeholders on Sunday, May 28. 

The celebrations will be animated by the 10 Anglican dioceses from Eastern Uganda, which form the Eastern Cluster.

A spectacle of the newly-constructed amphitheatre at the Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site, Namugongo.

Bogere attributed the success of the project to President Yoweri Museveni, who he said, gave the same project enormous financial support and goodwill.

A sculpture at Uganda Martyrs Museum, Namugongo depicting of Kabaka Mwanga's chief executioner, Mukaajanga (right) being guarded by his soldiers at his command post.

“Our dear President was greatly concerned when he came here and saw his people suffering, rain pouring on them, sunshine scorching them. When the idea to redevelop Namugongo was conceived by the late Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo about 8 years ago, the President promised to contribute 30% of the budgeted UGX68bn, which he fully remitted.

A sculpture at the Uganda Martys Museum, Namugongo depicting Kabaka Mwanga's Chief executioner, Mukaajanga commanding the execution of the Uganda Martyrs.

Bogere asked Anglican Christians and all Ugandans of goodwill to attend the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at the site.

“The amphitheatre is finished and ready for use. We have been working with technical advisers from the ministry of works. We were also visited by a team of security experts from State House, who also gave us very useful guidance. For the first time we are going to remember the martyrs in a convenient environment,” Bogere said.

A sculptor's depiction of Mukaajanga's soldiers executing the Uganda Martyrs.

The site engineer, Enock Rukundo and Justice James Ogoola also assured the pilgrims of unprecedented comfort and convenience during the celebration.

Bishop Bogere said the celebrations on June 3 will be presided over by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu. 

The guest preacher will be Archbishop Foley Thomas Beach of the Anglican Diocese of North America.