Capt Mike Mukula, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda and also the organising chairperson of this year's Martyrs’ Day Celebrations at the Anglican Shrine, has drummed up support towards the ceremony, saying arrangements are underway.

“We are progressing well and we hope to be fully ready by June. We want to have more people gather at Namugongo this year,” Mukula said.

Mukula was addressing the media on Thursday, January 5, 2023, shortly after the Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo Memorial Lecture at Namugongo, Kampala. 

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, who was representing President Yoweri Museveni, lauded the Church for maintaining Nkoyoyo’s legacy and supporting government programs.

Nankabirwa noted that Namugongo should be developed to become the country’s tourist center so as to increase revenue.

“The country should be ready to market our tourism to the world. We should not only use this place for prayers, but rather to also earn from it,” Nankabirwa said.

The function attracted several dignitaries from the Church of Uganda, Buganda Kingdom, government and others.

The late Nkoyoyo served as the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda from 1995 to 2004. During his tenure, the Church made tremendous achievements in promoting the gospel and establishment of a number of development projects for the Church.