Christians retrace Uganda Martyrs' footsteps in Kampala

KAMPALA - As thousands trek to Namugongo for Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations slated for June 3, Christians on Saturday completed another trek from Munyonyo Lake Victoria shores to Old Kampala city suburbs, as part of activities leading to this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations.

“The Walk of Faith” was part of the spiritual preparation for the 2025 Uganda Martyrs Day Celebration on June 3.

The walk started at 8:40am from Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine to Old Kampala. “This spiritual journey has been organised to enable our Christians today to experience the Martyrs."

The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere on Saturday, May 31, 2025, led the congregation in the Walk of the Faith from Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine to Old Kampala Church where St Matia Mulumba was executed. (Credit: Juliet Anna Lukwago)

Archbishop of Kampala Paul Ssemogerere addresses the congregation before the Walk of the Faith from Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine to Old-Kampala Church where St Matia Mulumba was executed. This was on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (All Photos by Juliet Anna Lukwago)

Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, flagged off Christians. Among other participants were the Head of Laity Uganda, Gervase Ndyanabo, and priests working in the Catholic Secretariat.

Martyrs’ Day is celebrated in remembrance of the young Christian converts who refused to denounce their newly found religion between 1885 and 1886 to the annoyance of the then Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda. 

He ordered that they be burnt to death, but they died while defending their faith.

Parish Priest of Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, Fr Ulman Male (R), interacts with the Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere before leading the congregation in Walk of the Faith from Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine to Old-Kampala Church where St Matia Mulumba was executed.

The symbolic event is part of the grand plan for the Catholic Church to organise such a pilgrimage every year from Munyonyo to Old Kampala Church, where one of the Martyrs, St Matia Mulumba, was killed.

The Diocese of Lugazi was chosen by the Catholic Episcopal Conference to animate this year’s celebrations, which shall be guided by the theme, “Oh Lord Let Me See Again, I your pilgrim of hope” (Mark 10:51), which is reflected in the way the martyrs died.

The Catholic Church, on June 3 annually honours the 22 Ugandan Martyrs that include Saint Charles Lwanga and Catechists, Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa from Paimol in the Archdiocese of Gulu.

Some of the participants in Walk of Faith at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine today Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Archbishop Ssemogerere urged Ugandans to be encouraged to emulate the Uganda Martyrs, ponder the martyrs and reflect on their journey in their lives.

He thanked Fr Ulman Male, on behalf of the Francian priests, for taking care of Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, the place he said is very important in the Catholic Faith because it is where the journey of the Martyrs to Namugongo started from.

The prelate added that “The walk of Faith” is a spiritual journey that has been organised to enable our Christians today to experience the Martyrs' pain and their last moments on earth in a commemorative walk."